PoliticsYahoo NewsRep. Ronny Jackson — Trump's controversial ex-doctor — calls for Biden cognitive test
Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas — former President Donald Trump's controversial ex-doctor — sent a letter to President Biden on Thursday demanding that he take a cognitive test and make the results public. To achieve this, we urge you to submit to a cognitive test immediately. In 2018, Jackson, the attending White House physician at the time, announced that Trump had requested and aced a cognitive test during a physical examination to disprove claims that his mental health was deteriorating.
WorldThe TelegraphGB News boycott shows we can’t take democratic values for granted, says Oliver Dowden
The advertising boycott of GB News shows Britain can no longer take basic democratic values for granted, the Culture Secretary has warned. Writing for The Telegraph, Oliver Dowden said a "vocal Twitter minority" was targeting the "free and diverse media" and the "right to dissent". In an escalation of the Government's so-called "war on woke", Mr Dowden insisted the fledgling centre-Right broadcaster is right to seek to "empower" viewers who feel that their "concerns have been unheard".
- WorldThe Week
What Ebrahim Raisi's election means for Iran — and the U.S.
Ebrahim Raisi, a hardliner favored by Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, handily won Saturday's Iranian presidential election, which saw historically low turnout. Domestically, the Crisis Group's Ali Vaez explained to PBS NewsHour that the 82-year-old Khamenei appears to be preparing for his succession, which will be "a very pivotal moment" for Iran. Raisi's victory, meanwhile, may actually help solidify the re-establishment of a nuclear pact between the U.S. and Iran, despite Raisi harboring more hostility toward Washington than his predecessor.
WorldThe TelegraphFounding father of the EU Robert Schuman in line for sainthood from Catholic Church
One of the founding fathers of the European Union was put on the path to sainthood by Pope Francis. Robert Schuman, who called for a supranational community for coal and steel in 1950, was recognised by the Pope for his “heroic virtues”, the Vatican said. Mr Schuman said cooperation on coal and steel, especially involving France and Germany, would make future wars impossible.
PoliticsThe WeekThe Biden administration is enabling a Trump comeback
Democrats have had what any sane political party would consider a remarkable stroke of luck: Donald Trump, the leader of their opposition has (allegedly) committed many, many crimes, both while serving as president and before, and Democrats now control the federal law enforcement apparatus. As Barbara McQuade and Joyce White Vance write in The Washington Post, Trump is almost certainly guilty of obstruction of justice during the Mueller investigation, of attempting to solicit bribes from Ukraine, and of multiple campaign finance violations (and likely much, much more).
WorldBBCCovid: Brazil hits 500,000 deaths amid 'critical' situation
The number of deaths related to Covid-19 has passed 500,000 in Brazil, the second-highest in the world, as experts say the outbreak could worsen amid slow vaccination and the start of winter. The virus continues to spread as President Jair Bolsonaro refuses to back measures like social distancing. President Bolsonaro has been heavily criticised for not implementing a co-ordinated national response and for his scepticism toward vaccines, lockdowns and mask-wearing requirements, which he has sought to loosen.
U.S.Miami HeraldThree arrested in property fraud case after an elderly owner discovers lot sold for $230,000
On Friday, as authorities held a press conference to highlight the growing problem of fraud against the elderly, prosecutors revealed they had charged three people suspected of swiping the property. Otis Lathen Powell, Shantel Vennissa Chang and Jason Webley Sr. were charged with a host of felonies, including money laundering, grand theft, organized scheme to defraud and theft from a person 65 years or older.
WorldThe TelegraphCouncils to review CCTV contracts with Chinese firm amid human rights concerns
English councils are set to review contracts for CCTV equipment from Chinese firm Hikvision amid security and human rights concerns, The Telegraph can reveal. Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of contracts are expected to undergo either procurement reviews or security examinations by the end of the year. It comes as pressure grows on councils to disassociate themselves from the technology company, which stands accused of helping to build the Chinese government's surveillance state.
PoliticsBBCMike Pence: Hecklers brand ex-VP 'traitor' at conservative conference
Former US Vice-President Mike Pence has been heckled during a speech at a conference for religious conservatives. The taunts were an apparent reaction to Mr Pence's role in validating Joe Biden's presidential election win. During his address, Mr Pence criticised the policies of Democratic US President Joe Biden and defended those of his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.
- NewsKTRK – Houston
Strip club raid just the beginning of nightlife crackdown, HPD chief says
After an overnight HPD operation in southwest Houston, Chief Troy Finner said his department will hone in on similar businesses committing crimes.
U.S.LA TimesHere are some things to know about the extreme drought in the Western U.S.
The prolonged dryness means low water levels are endangering fish species in Oregon and Colorado, 30% of California's population is in a drought emergency, and the nation's two biggest reservoirs on the Colorado River — Lake Powell and Lake Mead — are two-thirds empty. "What we see in our major reservoirs on the Colorado River really give us a good indication of water and drought in the West, and whether we're in a good or a tough spot," said John Berggren, a water policy analyst at Western Resource Advocates, a nonprofit organization. And right now, we're definitely in the latter category.
U.S.INSIDERShocking footage shows a gunman repeatedly shoot at a man while two children frantically dodge his bullets on a New York City sidewalk
A video released by police shows a gunman shoot a man while two children were just a step away. The 24-year-old victim was shot multiple times after the incident in the Bronx, New York Thursday. The children were not injured, police said.
PoliticsCharlotte ObserverMail-in voting isn’t broken. Why do NC Republicans want to fix it?
Republican-led state legislatures across the country are waging an assault on voting rights following the 2020 election, and North Carolina is no exception. Senate Bill 326, which was approved by the N.C. Senate Wednesday, would require state elections officials to stop collecting mail-in ballots after Election Day, even if they are mailed on time. It's a significant departure from the current law, which allows any mail-in ballot that is received within three days of the election to be counted, as long as it's postmarked on or before Election Day.
WorldBBCShipping disruption: 'We're doing our best - but this is crippling'
Like many importers, Peppermill is feeling the effects of serious bottlenecks in the global container shipping industry, which have led to delays and pushed up prices. The company, based near Cannock, in Staffordshire, has been operating for 25 years, and currently employs 40 people. Although it does use suppliers in the UK, roughly half of its stock is imported from East Asia, mainly from China.
WorldBBCApple Daily: Hong Kong police raid sparks rush on newspapers
People in Hong Kong have queued up to buy copies of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily a day after its newsroom was raided by police. The raid on the newspaper came as two of its executives were charged under Hong Kong's controversial new national security law. Editor-in-chief Ryan Law and chief executive officer Cheung Kim-hung were the two charged.
PoliticsThe WeekKevin McCarthy appears to say Trump has told him he wants to be House speaker
Former President Donald Trump has briefly entertained the idea of making a bid to become House speaker, and others have suggested the strategy may make sense for him, regardless of whether he also wants to take another shot at the White House in 2024. There's no hard evidence that Trump is considering that route, but on Friday House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) appeared to tell Fox News' Brian Kilmeade amid laughter that Trump has indeed told him he "wants to be speaker." McCarthy, who is determined to take over the role himself should Republicans take back the House in 2022, said he's responded to Trump by telling him that he'd rather him become president again instead.
PoliticsBusiness InsiderSen. Ron Johnson, who stalled the passing of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, was booed at an event commemorating the day
GOP Sen. Ron Johnson stalled the passing of making Juneteenth a holiday. On Saturday, June 19, he was booed at an event commemorating the holiday in Wisconsin. Sen. Ron Johnson was booed at an event celebrating Juneteenth in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Saturday, WDJT reported.
HealthThe StateYour pee could tell you if you have a brain tumor — with great accuracy, study says
A urine test developed by researchers at the Nagoya University in Japan can pinpoint a person who has a brain tumor — regardless of its size or malignancy — with 100% accuracy, according to a new study. Decorated with 100 million zinc oxide nanowires, the test works by plucking tiny molecules called microRNAs from just a millimeter of urine in much greater quantities and varieties than traditional tests. The test's non-invasive nature and easy handling could help to earlier detect and treat aggressive brain tumors, which go largely unnoticed until symptoms appear and have grown too large to be surgically removed, eventually improving brain cancer patient survival.
U.S.INSIDERA soldier found guilty of sexually assaulting multiple women will face an 18-year military prison sentence
Fort Bliss soldier Christian Alvarado has been found guilty of multiple counts of sexual assault and abuse. Alvarado will face an 18-year military prison sentence, a court-martial determined on Friday. A new study found that female soldiers at Texas' Fort Bliss face some of the highest risks of sexual assault than at other Army posts.
WorldBBCWhy Ethiopia’s 'alphabet generation' feel betrayed by Abiy
When Abiy Ahmed became prime minister of Ethiopia three years ago, the Oromo community felt their shackles had finally been broken. "Many people saw [Abiy] as a new Messiah," says Merera Gudina, chairman of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC). For Oromos have felt like second-class citizens in their own country - once referred to even in official circles by a derogatory slur known as the G-word, the equivalent of the N-word, and made to feel ashamed of their cultural identity.
PoliticsBusiness InsiderGOP congressman lashes out at Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday: 'Are we going to do one for the Native American Indians?'
GOP Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, one of 14 Republicans who voted against the legislation, took to Fox News Radio on Thursday to explain his opposition, saying that the vote "was an easy no vote" and questioned if a holiday would now have to be established for Native Americans as well. During the program "Fox Across America with Jimmy Failla," Norman also cited the number of existing holidays in detailing his rejection of a federal holiday for Juneteenth, while alleging that supporters were using "race" as an issue. "There's one Fourth of July.
U.S.The Daily BeastIndiana Zoo Owner Who Appeared in ‘Tiger King’ Pleads Guilty to Roughing Up Official During Inspection
An Indiana zoo owner pleaded guilty to intimidation charges after he roughed up a deputy attorney general during an inspection of his now shuttered zoo. Tim Stark, who appeared in the Netflix true-crime series Tiger King, was sentenced to time served over a confrontation in March 2020 at his zoo Wildlife in Need, which was dissolved in Nov. 2020. He was accused of grabbing and threatening the official.
WorldINSIDERCannibal waiter jailed for murdering his mother and eating her remains
Alberto Sánchez Gómez will serve 15 years in jail for murdering his 68-year-old mother. Sánchez ate her remains "bit by bit" with his pet dog, according to police officers. An unemployed Spanish waiter has been sentenced to jail for killing his mother, cutting her into thousands of pieces, and eating her remains, the Independent reported.
PoliticsThe New York TimesHow Republican States Are Expanding Their Power Over Elections
Across Georgia, members of at least 10 county election boards have been removed, had their position eliminated or are likely to be kicked off through local ordinances or new laws passed by the state Legislature. At least five are people of color, and most are Democrats — though some are Republicans — and they will most likely all be replaced by Republicans. Hollis and local officials like her have been some of the earliest casualties as Republican-led legislatures mount an expansive takeover of election administration in a raft of new voting bills this year.
- NewsYahoo News Video
Biden's lack of action on executions adds to death penalty disarray
Activists widely expected Joe Biden to take swift action against the death penalty as the first sitting president to oppose capital punishment, especially since an unprecedented spate of executions by his predecessor ended just days before Biden took office. That has not happened.
“It may seem desperate at this point, but I can’t be mad at any and all efforts to get people vaccinated.”
“I won’t get rich, but I will get to live my life. That seems like reward enough.”
“Offering incentives may encourage people who are not actively opposed to vaccination but may have put it off.”
“At some point, the government is simply rewarding irresponsible behavior.”
“Sure, people should do it without needing an incentive. But what’s the alternative? Not enough people get vaccinated.”