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JULY 4
For nation's birthday, Trump stokes the divisions within US
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Fourth of July is a day meant for unity and celebration. But in his holiday remarks, President Donald Trump went after segments of the country that don't support him. He vowed to “safeguard our values” from enemies within — people he called leftists, looters, agitators and anarchists. His Fourth of July speech was packed with all the grievances and combativeness of his political rallies. Outside his White House event, a strikingly thin crowd came to the National Mall to watch an air show and fireworks. Many who showed up wore masks, unlike those seated close together for Trump’s South Lawn event,
UNITED STATES-AFGHANISTAN-FATALITY
DOD says soldier from Texas died in accident in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Defense Department says a 21-year-old soldier has died in a vehicle accident while serving in Afghanistan. Spc. Vincent Sebastian Ibarria, from San Antonio, Texas, died as the result of a vehicle rollover accident on Friday in Farah, Afghanistan. The incident is under investigation. Ibarria was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.
RACIAL INJUSTICE-COLUMBUS STATUE
Columbus statue toppled by Baltimore protesters
BALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore protesters have pulled down a statue of Christopher Columbus and thrown it into the city’s Inner Harbor. News outlets report demonstrators on Saturday night used ropes to topple the monument near the Little Italy neighborhood. Protesters mobilized by the death of George Floyd at the hands of police have called for the removal of statues of Columbus, Confederate figures and others. They say the Italian explorer is responsible for the genocide and exploitation of native peoples in the Americas. Statues of Columbus have also been toppled or vandalized in cities such as Miami; Richmond, Virginia; St. Paul, Minnesota, and Boston, where one was decapitated.
ROCKET LAB-LAUNCH FAILURE
California firm's rocket fails in launch from New Zealand
LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A California space launch company says one of its rockets failed to place seven payloads into orbit after liftoff from New Zealand. Long Beach-based Rocket Lab says Saturday the failure occurred about four minutes into its 13th mission. The main satellite aboard the Electron rocket was intended to demonstrate Canon Electronics Inc.'s Earth-imaging technology. The company says it is investigating to determine what went wrong after 11 previous successful orbital launches. Before the failure, Rocket Lab said it was planning monthly launches for the remainder of the year and into 2021.
AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-GUILFOYLE-MONTANA-
GOP-ers possibly exposed to virus by Trump Jr. girlfriend
BOZEMAN,Mont. (AP) — The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports the wife and the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte, as well as several other top GOP officials, were possibly exposed to the coronavirus after attending an event with the girlfriend of President Donald Trump’s oldest son. Gianforte’s wife, Susan, lieutenant governor candidate Kristen Juras, as well as Republican congressional candidate and state auditor Matt Rosendale and state auditor candidate Troy Downing, were at a Trump fundraising event July 1 in Gallatin County with Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr. The New York Times reports Guilfoyle was diagnosed with the coronavirus on July 3. Greg Gianforte, Montana’s representative in the U.S. House, did not attend the event.
RACIAL INJUSTICE-SEATTLE
Police: 2 women hit by car on Seattle highway amid protest
SEATTLE (AP) — Authorities say a 27-year-old man drove a car onto a closed freeway in Seattle and barreled through a panicked crowd of protesters, critically injuring two women. A Washington State Patrol report says Dawit Kelete of Seattle drove around several vehicles that were blocking Interstate 5 and sped into the crowd early Saturday. He was taken into custody and charged with two counts of vehicular assault. A hospital spokesperson says 24-year-old Summer Taylor, of Seattle, was in critical condition while 32-year-old Diaz Love, of Portland, Oregon, was upgraded to serious condition in the intensive care unit. Seattle has been the site of prolonged unrest following the May 25 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
AP-US-RACIAL-INJUSTICE-PHOENIX-STREET-NAMES
Phoenix to change 'Robert E. Lee,' 'Squaw Peak' street names
PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix officials are set to begin the process of changing the names of two streets — one seen as demeaning to indigenous Native American women and the other glorifying the Confederacy. The Phoenix City Council voted unanimously this week to rename Squaw Peak Drive and Robert E. Lee Street. In a letter to the city manager last month, Mayor Kate Gallego and Councilwoman Thelda Williams wrote that squaw is a “demeaning and degrading word.” Meanwhile, Lee represents historical institutions of racism and slavery. Councilman Sal DiCiccio says the city should cover fees for residents affected by the change.
BRITAIN-OBIT-EARL CAMERON
Earl Cameron, pioneering British film actor, dies at 102
Earl Cameron, who was one of the first Black actors to perform in mainstream British films and played supporting roles to enduring entertainment icons such as James Bond and the title character in “Doctor Who” before appearing in the U.N. thriller “The Interpreter” in his 80s, has died. He was 102. Cameron died Friday, according to The Royal Gazette newspaper in his native Bermuda. The British newspaper The Guardian, quoting the actor’s agent, said he died at home in Warwickshire, England. Cameron's break into movies also broke barriers for British cinema. Cameron played a starring role in “Pool of London,” a 1951 crime noir that was the first British film to feature an interracial relationship
AP-US-NURSING-HOMES-STIMULUS-CHECKS
Stimulus money could pose dilemmas in nursing homes
NEW YORK (AP) — Nursing home residents are among the Americans getting $1,200 checks as part of the U.S. plan to revive the economy. But with many homes still under lockdown to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks, officials are issuing reminders that the money belongs to residents. One worry is that nursing homes could pressure residents to use the checks to pay outstanding balances. Another is that relatives could demand the money, even if they're not legal representatives. The Federal Trade Commission says it's not yet known whether problems are widespread, but that there may have been genuine confusion about how the checks should be handled.
AP-US-SPORTSBOOK-ERROR
Bellagio error may be biggest sportsbook loss for Vegas
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The nearly quarter-million dollars in winning wagers reportedly placed at MGM Resorts last Sunday might be the largest sportsbook loss in Las Vegas history on bets made after an event has started. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports seven longtime Las Vegas bookmakers can’t recall a larger loss. ESPN reports Sunday’s bets were allowed to be placed because incorrect start times were posted on some Korean and Chinese baseball games due to a manual entry error. The Nevada Gaming Control Board is reportedly investigating the matter.
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