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1. Congress
A day of national celebration turned to tragedy on Monday when a gunman killed at least six people and injured dozens of others in a shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, during a July Fourth parade. A witness described the horror of hundreds of paradegoers running and ducking for cover when they realized the popping noise they heard was a “rain of gunshots” and not fireworks. The suspected gunman is believed to have fired from a rooftop in an attack that appeared to be “random” and “intentional,” police said. A “high-powered rifle” was recovered from the scene and the suspect was taken into custody later in the day, authorities said. Among the six people killed, five adults died at the scene. The age of the sixth victim is not yet clear. Highland Park is located about 25 miles north of Chicago.
2. Coronavirus
As Russian shelling and missile attacks continue to cause widespread destruction throughout his country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that the work required to rebuild Ukraine should be a “common task” of the democratic world. Ukraine’s infrastructure losses amount to more than $100 billion, according to its prime minister. This comes as Ukraine’s military has warned that Russian forces are preparing for renewed assaults on cities in the Donetsk region still controlled by Kyiv after taking over Lysychansk – the final city to fall in the Luhansk region. Meanwhile, up to 60 million tons of grain could be stuck in Ukraine by the fall if Russia continues to block the country’s exports, Zelensky said.
3. Mideast violence
The city of Akron, Ohio, remains on edge one week after the fatal police shooting of 25-year-old Jayland Walker. A news conference held by city officials one Sunday – along with the release of 13 police body camera videos – has started to paint a fuller picture of the shooting, which police say happened when Walker, who is Black, fled an attempted traffic stop on June 27. Walker was unarmed at the time he was killed, Akron Police Chief Stephen Mylett said. Authorities said Walker suffered at least 60 wounds in the fatal shooting. The Mayor of Akron declared a state of emergency and issued a curfew for Monday night through this morning in order to “preserve peace” in the community.
4. Policing
5. South China Sea
The Eiffel Tower in Paris is reportedly riddled with rust and badly in need of repairs. However, the iconic landmark is instead being given a paint job costing 60 million euros in preparation for the 2024 Olympics, Reuters reports, according to a confidential analysis cited by French magazine Marianne. The Eiffel Tower, built by Gustave Eiffel in the late 19th century, is among the most visited tourist sites in the world, welcoming about six million visitors each year. “It is simple, if Gustave Eiffel visited the place he would have a heart attack,” one unnamed manager at the tower told Marianne. The company that oversees the tower is reluctant to close the tower for a long time because of the tourist revenue that would be lost, Marianne said.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
See the spectacular finale of the DC fireworks show
Researchers say giving alcohol to plants may protect them from dying in a drought. Here’s why plants benefit from a little liquid encourage-mint.
Oscar Mayer is now selling frozen wiener pops
Why stick to hot dogs on a bun… when you can enjoy cold dogs on a stick!
Restaurant features new dishes every month developed by refugee chefs
This restaurant is helping immigrants start new lives in the US – and introducing many Americans to new cultural cuisines.
The majesty of weather photography
A weather photography competition has revealed striking images of extreme climate events. See the stunning photos here.
Looking back on 50 years of the Hard Rock Cafe
Since the first Hard Rock Cafe opened its doors in 1971, branches have popped up everywhere from Tokyo to Egypt.
IN MEMORIAM
Joe E. Tata, who played Nat, the kindly owner of the Peach Pit on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” has died, according to his daughter, Kelly Tata. He was 85. A cause of death was not shared but her father had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Tata played Nat for 10 seasons of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” from 1990 until 2000, and later reprised the role for a spin-off series of the show in 2008.
QUIZ TIME
Which major US retailer announced this week it is slashing prices on clothing and other products?
A. MacBook
B. iPad
C. Apple Watch
D. iPhone
Take CNN’s weekly news quiz to see if you’re correct!
TODAY’S NUMBER
$10,000
That’s about how much President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan could cost per year, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told CNN Thursday. Asked why the President waited so long to make his decision to cancel the debt, she said Biden “wanted to do it in a fiscally balanced way.” However, there remains no public estimate on the total price tag for the program.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“I’m terrified I might be here forever.”
– Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, denying allegations from two women who accused him of sexually abusing them when they were minors in the 1970s, according to lawsuits filed this week. One of the women is described as the daughter of an adviser and manager to Foreman while the second woman is the daughter of a boxer who trained with him, according to the documents.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY
Parrot uses a face mask as hammock
Meet the man behind some of the most striking mazes and labyrinths around the world. (Click here to view)