Remembering Michael Jackson, Medal of Honor ceremony, Cardi B goes to court: 5 things to know Tuesday
World lost the 'King of Pop' 10 years ago
The shocking news broke on June 25, 2009: Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, was dead at age 50. The loss of one of the music world's all-time greats — later determined to be from a drug overdose administered by his doctor — left his legions of fans devastated. Sister Janet Jackson recently opened up about her iconic brother and his lasting influence. "I love it when I see kids emulating him, when adults still listen to his music," she told The Sunday Times of London. But Jackson's legacy also has a dark side: allegations of child molestation, recently explored in the HBO film "Leaving Neverland." USA TODAY's Maria Puente writes: "Ten years may not be enough time yet to work this out, what with Jackson fans and critics occupying hostile camps and lobbing toxic tweets at each other."
First living Iraq War vet to get Medal of Honor
An Iraq War veteran will receive the Medal of Honor from President Donald Trump for rescuing his squad and clearing out a house full of Iraqi insurgents during the Battle of Fallujah. David Bellavia will receive the nation's highest military award for valor Tuesday at a White House ceremony. The Second Battle of Fallujah, or Operation Phantom Fury, was the war's bloodiest battle. Close to 100 American soldiers lost their lives during the month-and-a-half-long battle in November 2004. Bellavia is the first living veteran of the Iraq War to receive the honor.
Cardi B goes to court to face charges in club brawl
Cardi B is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in New York on charges connected to a brawl in a Queens strip club last summer. The Grammy Award winner is expected to plead not guilty. The rapper will appear at a Queens courthouse, where the specific charges against her will be detailed, Queens District Attorney's Office spokesperson Meris Campbell confirmed to USA TODAY. The indictment filed Friday charged Cardi B with two counts of felony attempted assault and various lesser charges, the Associated Press confirms. Police said Cardi B instigated the fight at Angel's Gentlemen's Club and members of her entourage joined in.
VA health care workers set to blast managers at congressional hearing
Health care workers from the Department of Veterans Affairs are scheduled to testify at a congressional hearing Tuesday examining the VA's treatment of whistleblowers. The hearing comes after three VA health care professionals told USA TODAY that managers have retaliated against them and tried to stop them from disclosing issues at VA medical centers. The claims contradict assertions by agency leaders and President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order and a law creating a VA Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection within months of taking office. Also slated to testify is Jacqueline Garrick, founder of nonprofit peer-support group Whistleblowers of America, who told USA TODAY that more than 190 VA employees have contacted her since 2017 complaining of retaliation for speaking out about problems at the agency.
And the best place to visit in the world is ...
Paris reigns as the greatest vacation destination for the second year in a row, a report released on Tuesday finds. Determined by a mix of experts and user votes, the list places the City of Lights at No. 1, followed by New Zealand’s South Island, Rome, Tahiti and then London, according to the U.S. News & World Report. One expert says one "unmistakable travel trend" consists of people spending their hard-earned vacation days outdoors. If traveling to faraway places isn't your thing, you can always take a fun-filled staycation.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Remembering Michael Jackson, Medal of Honor ceremony, Cardi B goes to court: 5 things to know Tuesday
