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.
- PoliticsNY Daily News
Jeff Sessions swings back at Trump for 'juvenile insults' as fight for political future looms in Alabama
Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions lashed out Saturday at President Donald Trump after his onetime ally launched another salvo ahead of the Republican Senate primary run-off on Tuesday in Alabama. Sessions, whom Trump has derided as “Mr. Magoo,” touted himself as a trusted and independent conservative. “My honor and integrity are far more important than these juvenile insults,” Sessions wrote in a reply to Trump on Twitter.
- U.S.The Daily Beast
Here’s How Black Power Finally Prevailed in Mississippi State Flag Fight
After many years demanding the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the state flag, Black Mississippians received their wish when a bill doing that was signed into law last week. Just as the state flag had served as a symbol of white supremacy for 126 years, beginning nearly 30 years after the Confederacy's defeat, the lowering of the flag for the final time by a Black man symbolized Black Power. Mississippi's Declaration of the Immediate Causes which Induce and Justify the Secession of the State of Mississippi from the Federal Union clearly states that “our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery.”
- 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.
- 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.
U.S.Yahoo News VideoCouple who threatened Black Lives Matter protesters with guns once destroyed children's beehives
St. Louis couple Mark and Patricia McCloskey drew national attention in June when they flashed guns at Black Lives Matter protesters walking down their street.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- U.S.The Independent
Florida man crashes car into church and sets fire to building with parishioners inside
A Florida man was arrested on Saturday after crashing his car into a Catholic church and then setting the building on fire with parishioners still inside, officials said. The Marion County Sheriff's office said that Steven Shields deliberately drove his vehicle through the doors of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala at 7.30am as the congregation prepared for Mass. Deputy Josue Gonzalez spotted Mr Shields' vehicle and gave chase, ramming it with his patrol car, according to a statement by the sheriff's office.
WorldAFPGiant protests in Russia after popular governor's arrest
At least 10,000 protesters marched through the eastern Russian city of Khabarovsk Saturday in support of a popular local governor arrested this week for allegedly ordering several murders. A court in Moscow on Friday ruled to hold 50-year-old Sergei Furgal for two months pending trial for the murders of several businessmen 15 years ago. Furgal's nationalist Liberal-Democratic Party has thrown its weight behind the governor, and on Saturday said "35,000 people came out to the streets" in Khabarovsk to protest his arrest.
- ScienceCBS News
Spectacular photos capture Neowise, one of the brightest comets in decades
Neowise, one of the brightest comets in decades, has brought with it a stunning debris trail this month, delighting skywatchers around the world. Even astronauts aboard the International Space Station have captured the stunning celestial phenomenon, which promises to bring even more spectacular sightings as the month goes on. During the month of July, the newly-discovered comet Neowise, formally named Comet C2020 F3 NEOWISE by NASA, has been visible in the early hours before sunrise.
- 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.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.
- PoliticsThe Daily Beast
The White House Made a List of All the Times Fauci ‘Has Been Wrong’ on the Coronavirus
The White House has undertaken behind-the-scenes efforts in recent months to undercut and sideline Dr. Anthony Fauci—even going so far as to compile a list of all the times he “has been wrong on things,” according to The Washington Post. After canceling some of his planned TV appearances and keeping him away from the Oval Office, White House officials and President Trump have taken to publicly expressing a loss of confidence in the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and face of the administration's coronavirus task force. The apparent attempts to undermine Fauci come as he continues to counter the president's overly optimistic narrative on the state of the pandemic.
- 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.
- WorldThe Telegraph
British Islamic State fighter 'dies in prison' in Syria
A British Islamic State member from East London has died in a prison in northeast Syria, according to the BBC. Ishak Mostefaoui is the first British IS-supporter to die in the custody of the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The British government refuses to allow its adult IS prisoner suspects to return to the UK for trial, believing that they should be tried in the region.
- HealthINSIDER
The FDA just updated its list of hand sanitizers you should avoid to include products that contain the deadly chemical methanol
Rachel Askinasi/Insider The Food and Drug Administration updated its list of hand sanitizer containing the dangerous chemical methanol, adding five formulas made in Mexico and bringing the total to 59 products. According to the FDA, methanol has been reported to cause blindness, hospitalization, and even death when absorbed through the skin or ingested. "Methanol is not an acceptable active ingredient for hand sanitizer and must not be used due to its toxic effects," the FDA wrote in a report on its website.
- U.S.NY Daily News
Florida cop charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after pointing gun at unarmed Black man
A Florida sergeant has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he allegedly threatened to shoot an unarmed Black man who wouldn't identify himself. Janak Amin of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office pointed his gun at the unidentified man who had left DACCO Behavioral Health Center, a mental health facility, after he was inadvertently taken there from an HCSO detention center, the sheriff's office said in a statement. During the incident, police said, Amin pulled out his gun and “threatened (the man's) life.”
- WorldAssociated Press
Iran blames bad communication, alignment for jet shootdown
A misaligned missile battery, miscommunication between troops and their commanders and a decision to fire without authorization all led to Iran's Revolutionary Guard shooting down a Ukrainian jetliner in January, killing all 176 people on board, a new report says. The report released late Saturday by Iran's Civil Aviation Organization comes months after the Jan. 8 crash near Tehran. Authorities had initially denied responsibility, only changing course days later after Western nations presented extensive evidence that Iran had shot down the plane.
- U.S.USA TODAY
John Wayne Airport: Will California terminal's name go the way of Confederate statues?
Now, the county is more diverse, and the Orange County Democratic Party wants the airport's name changed. They cite comments Wayne made to Playboy Magazine in 1971 disparaging Blacks, Native Americans and gay people. They want the county board of supervisors to remove his name and statue from the airport and restore its original name: Orange County Airport.
- WorldBBC
Xu Zhangrun: Outspoken professor freed after six days
An outspoken critic of China's rulers, Professor Xu Zhangrun, has been released after six days in police custody, friends say. The Beijing constitutional law professor was already under house arrest when he was detained on 6 July. He had criticised China's response to coronavirus and what he sees as a Mao-like cult of personality under China's current leader, Xi Jinping.
- U.S.Reuters
WHO reports record daily increase in global coronavirus cases, up over 230,000
The biggest increases were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa, according to a daily report. The previous WHO record for new cases was 228,102 on July 10. Global coronavirus cases were approaching 13 million on Sunday, according to a Reuters tally, marking another milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed more than 565,000 people in seven months.
U.S.AFPParents face dilemma as US schools seek to reopen
With the start of the US school year only weeks away, Marina Avalos still has no idea how or where her 7-year-old daughter will attend classes. Like many mothers, Avalos is reluctant to send her child back to school at a time when coronavirus across the country has surged past three million cases, including 130,000 deaths. On Tuesday, California -- where she lives -- set a new daily cases record, with 11,694 infections.
- LifestyleBusiness Insider
Caribbean countries are selling citizenship for as low as $100,000 — here's how the ultra-wealthy are cashing in to avoid pandemic travel restrictions
Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images Secondary passports are in high demand as the coronavirus pandemic causes travel restrictions around the world. In the Caribbean, some nations are offering steep discounts to bring in extra revenue amid a cash crunch. Passport buying has shifted from simple vacations to riding out the virus, experts say.
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