Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy Will Retire
WASHINGTON — Justice Anthony M. Kennedy announced on Wednesday that he would retire this summer, setting in motion a furious fight over the future of the Supreme Court and giving President Trump the chance to put a conservative stamp on the American legal system for generations.
Justice Kennedy, 81, has been a critical swing vote on the sharply polarized court for nearly three decades as he embraced liberal views on gay rights, abortion and the death penalty but helped conservatives trim voting rights, block gun control measures and unleash campaign spending by corporations.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/27/us/politics/anthony-kennedy-retire-supreme-court.html?2
WASHINGTON — Justice Anthony M. Kennedy announced on Wednesday that he would retire this summer, setting in motion a furious fight over the future of the Supreme Court and giving President Trump the chance to put a conservative stamp on the American legal system for generations.
Justice Kennedy, 81, has been a critical swing vote on the sharply polarized court for nearly three decades as he embraced liberal views on gay rights, abortion and the death penalty but helped conservatives trim voting rights, block gun control measures and unleash campaign spending by corporations.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/27/us/politics/anthony-kennedy-retire-supreme-court.html?2
Nytimes
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy Will Retire
The announcement gives President Trump the opportunity to create a solid five-member conservative majority and fundamentally change the direction of the court.
5 People Dead in Shooting at Maryland’s Capital Gazette Newsroom
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A man armed with a shotgun and smoke grenades stormed into the newsroom of a community newspaper chain in Maryland’s capital on Thursday afternoon, killing five staff members, injuring two others and prompting law enforcement agencies across the country to provide protection at the headquarters of media organizations.
The suspect, Jarrod W. Ramos, 38, was taken into custody at the scene and was charged on Friday morning with five counts of first-degree murder. He had a long history of conflict with the Capital Gazette, which produces a number of local newspapers along Maryland’s shore, suing journalists there for defamation and waging a social media campaign against them.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/us/capital-gazette-annapolis-shooting.html?3
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A man armed with a shotgun and smoke grenades stormed into the newsroom of a community newspaper chain in Maryland’s capital on Thursday afternoon, killing five staff members, injuring two others and prompting law enforcement agencies across the country to provide protection at the headquarters of media organizations.
The suspect, Jarrod W. Ramos, 38, was taken into custody at the scene and was charged on Friday morning with five counts of first-degree murder. He had a long history of conflict with the Capital Gazette, which produces a number of local newspapers along Maryland’s shore, suing journalists there for defamation and waging a social media campaign against them.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/us/capital-gazette-annapolis-shooting.html?3
Nytimes
5 People Dead in Shooting at Maryland’s Capital Gazette Newsroom
The suspect, identified as Jarrod W. Ramos, 38, had a long history of conflict with the news group.
Leftist Wins Mexico Presidency in Landslide With Mandate to Reshape Nation
Mexico City — Riding a wave of populist anger fueled by rampant corruption and violence, the leftist Andrés Manuel López Obrador was elected president of Mexico on Sunday, in a landslide victory that upended the nation’s political establishment and handed him a sweeping mandate to reshape the country.
Mr. López Obrador’s win puts a leftist leader at the helm of Latin America’s second largest economy for the first time in decades, a prospect that has filled millions of Mexicans with hope — and the nation’s elites with trepidation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/world/americas/mexico-election-andres-manuel-lopez-obrador.html
Mexico City — Riding a wave of populist anger fueled by rampant corruption and violence, the leftist Andrés Manuel López Obrador was elected president of Mexico on Sunday, in a landslide victory that upended the nation’s political establishment and handed him a sweeping mandate to reshape the country.
Mr. López Obrador’s win puts a leftist leader at the helm of Latin America’s second largest economy for the first time in decades, a prospect that has filled millions of Mexicans with hope — and the nation’s elites with trepidation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/world/americas/mexico-election-andres-manuel-lopez-obrador.html
NY Times
López Obrador, an Atypical Leftist, Wins Mexico Presidency in Landslide
Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s victory, fueled by a wave of voter anger, upended the political establishment, filling millions of Mexicans with hope — and the nation’s elites with trepidation.
Poland Purges Supreme Court, and Protesters Take to Streets
WARSAW — Poland’s government carried out a sweeping purge of the Supreme Court on Tuesday night, eroding the judiciary’s independence, escalating a confrontation with the European Union over the rule of law and further dividing this already riven nation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/europe/poland-supreme-court-protest.html
WARSAW — Poland’s government carried out a sweeping purge of the Supreme Court on Tuesday night, eroding the judiciary’s independence, escalating a confrontation with the European Union over the rule of law and further dividing this already riven nation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/europe/poland-supreme-court-protest.html
Nytimes
Poland Purges Supreme Court, and Protesters Take to Streets
Demonstrations erupted in dozens of cities across the country as the right-wing governing party consolidated its power and escalated a clash with the European Union.
E.P.A. Chief Scott Pruitt Resigns Under a Cloud of Ethics Scandals
WASHINGTON — Scott Pruitt, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and architect of President Trump’s aggressive effort to rewrite the government’s rule book on environmental regulations, resigned on Thursday in the face of numerous ethics investigations that doomed his tenure.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/05/climate/scott-pruitt-epa-trump.html?5
WASHINGTON — Scott Pruitt, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and architect of President Trump’s aggressive effort to rewrite the government’s rule book on environmental regulations, resigned on Thursday in the face of numerous ethics investigations that doomed his tenure.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/05/climate/scott-pruitt-epa-trump.html?5
Nytimes
E.P.A. Chief Scott Pruitt Resigns Under a Cloud of Ethics Scandals
Mr. Pruitt, a former Oklahoma attorney general, had been hailed by conservatives for his zealous deregulation, but could not overcome a spate of ethics questions.
Boris Johnson, U.K. Foreign Secretary, Resigns Over Brexit Discord
LONDON — Boris Johnson resigned as Britain’s foreign secretary on Monday, becoming the second cabinet minister to quit in less than 24 hours in protest over plans from Prime Minister Theresa May to soften the economic impact of British withdrawal from the European Union.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/09/world/europe/david-davis-brexit-resign.html
LONDON — Boris Johnson resigned as Britain’s foreign secretary on Monday, becoming the second cabinet minister to quit in less than 24 hours in protest over plans from Prime Minister Theresa May to soften the economic impact of British withdrawal from the European Union.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/09/world/europe/david-davis-brexit-resign.html
Nytimes
Theresa May in Fight to Save Government Amid Brexit Rift
Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, quit to protest Mrs. May’s Brexit approach, deepening divisions in the British government.
Brett Kavanaugh Is Trump’s Pick for Supreme Court
WASHINGTON — President Trump on Monday selected Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, a politically connected member of Washington’s conservative legal establishment, to fill Justice Anthony M. Kennedy’s seat on the Supreme Court, setting up an epic confirmation battle and potentially cementing the court’s rightward tilt for a generation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/09/us/politics/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court.html?2
WASHINGTON — President Trump on Monday selected Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, a politically connected member of Washington’s conservative legal establishment, to fill Justice Anthony M. Kennedy’s seat on the Supreme Court, setting up an epic confirmation battle and potentially cementing the court’s rightward tilt for a generation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/09/us/politics/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court.html?2
Nytimes
Brett Kavanaugh Is Trump’s Pick for Supreme Court
The nomination will set off a furious confirmation battle, as the retiring Justice Anthony M. Kennedy has held the decisive vote in many closely divided cases.
Cave rescue operation ends as all trapped Thai boys are freed
CHIANG RAI, Thailand — After 17 long nights trapped in a dark and damp cave, four remaining boys and their soccer coach were freed one-by-one by divers in Thailand on Tuesday.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/thai-cave-rescue-operation-underway-rescue-final-5-trapped-n890106
CHIANG RAI, Thailand — After 17 long nights trapped in a dark and damp cave, four remaining boys and their soccer coach were freed one-by-one by divers in Thailand on Tuesday.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/thai-cave-rescue-operation-underway-rescue-final-5-trapped-n890106
NBC News
All of the Thai boys are freed after cave ordeal
The plight of the young soccer players and their coach has riveted the country and much of the world since they vanished on June 23.
12 Russian Agents Indicted in Mueller Investigation
WASHINGTON — The special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election indicted 12 Russian intelligence officers on Friday in the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton presidential campaign. The indictment came just three days before President Trump is planning to meet with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia in Helsinki, Finland.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/13/us/politics/mueller-indictment-russian-intelligence-hacking.html?3
WASHINGTON — The special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election indicted 12 Russian intelligence officers on Friday in the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton presidential campaign. The indictment came just three days before President Trump is planning to meet with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia in Helsinki, Finland.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/13/us/politics/mueller-indictment-russian-intelligence-hacking.html?3
Nytimes
12 Russian Agents Indicted in Mueller Investigation
The intelligence officers were charged with hacking Democrats during the 2016 campaign. The indictment was announced days before President Trump is to meet with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.
France, the Class of the World Cup, Brings Home the Trophy
MOSCOW — The first France goal came off a Croatian’s head. The second was scored with the aid of the Argentine referee, and became the first video-assistant-reviewed goal in World Cup history.
But the next two — hard low shots by the young French stars Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé — confirmed what everyone knew even before France polished off its 4-2 victory on Sunday: France was the best team in the field this summer in Russia, and for that reason — a potent mix of greatness, grit and good fortune — they are world champions again.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/15/sports/world-cup/france-vs-croatia-final.html?2
MOSCOW — The first France goal came off a Croatian’s head. The second was scored with the aid of the Argentine referee, and became the first video-assistant-reviewed goal in World Cup history.
But the next two — hard low shots by the young French stars Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé — confirmed what everyone knew even before France polished off its 4-2 victory on Sunday: France was the best team in the field this summer in Russia, and for that reason — a potent mix of greatness, grit and good fortune — they are world champions again.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/15/sports/world-cup/france-vs-croatia-final.html?2
Nytimes
France, the Class of the World Cup, Brings Home the Trophy
Led by Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba, France brings home its second World Cup trophy, 20 years after winning its first.
Trump, at Putin’s Side, Questions U.S. Intelligence on 2016 Election
HELSINKI, Finland — President Trump stood next to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Monday and publicly challenged the conclusion of his own intelligence agencies that Moscow interfered in the 2016 presidential election, wrapping up what he called a “deeply productive” summit meeting with an extraordinary show of trust for a leader accused of attacking American democracy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/16/world/europe/trump-putin-election-intelligence.html
HELSINKI, Finland — President Trump stood next to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Monday and publicly challenged the conclusion of his own intelligence agencies that Moscow interfered in the 2016 presidential election, wrapping up what he called a “deeply productive” summit meeting with an extraordinary show of trust for a leader accused of attacking American democracy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/16/world/europe/trump-putin-election-intelligence.html
NY Times
Trump, at Putin’s Side, Questions U.S. Intelligence on 2016 Election (Published 2018)
At the end of their first summit meeting, Mr. Trump would not say whether he believes American intelligence agencies or Mr. Putin about Russian electoral interference.
Google Fined $5.1 Billion by E.U. in Android Antitrust Ruling
BRUSSELS — Google was hit with a $5.1 billion fine by European antitrust officials on Wednesday for abusing its power in the smartphone market, in the region’s latest move to rein in the clout of American tech companies.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/technology/google-eu-android-fine.html
BRUSSELS — Google was hit with a $5.1 billion fine by European antitrust officials on Wednesday for abusing its power in the smartphone market, in the region’s latest move to rein in the clout of American tech companies.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/technology/google-eu-android-fine.html
NY Times
E.U. Fines Google $5.1 Billion in Android Antitrust Case (Published 2018)
European officials hit the internet giant with the record penalty for abusing its power in the smartphone market, the region’s latest move to rein in the clout of tech companies.
Venezuelan President Targeted in Attack Attempt, Minister Says
CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was the target of an attempted attack by drones that detonated explosives near him on Saturday while he was attending a military ceremony in the capital, Caracas, his communications minister said.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/04/world/americas/venezuelan-president-targeted-in-attack-attempt-minister-says.html
CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was the target of an attempted attack by drones that detonated explosives near him on Saturday while he was attending a military ceremony in the capital, Caracas, his communications minister said.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/04/world/americas/venezuelan-president-targeted-in-attack-attempt-minister-says.html
Nytimes
Venezuelan President Targeted by Drone Attack, Officials Say
President Nicolás Maduro was unharmed as explosions caused chaos at a military event being shown on live TV.
Magnitude-7 Earthquake Strikes Off Indonesia, Killing at Least 37
JAKARTA, Indonesia — A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of the Indonesian resort island of Lombok near Bali on Sunday evening, killing at least 37 people and triggering a tsunami warning, officials said.
The earthquake — initially announced as a magnitude 6.8 then revised to 7.0 — struck off Lombok’s north coast and was felt on Bali, just to the west, Indonesia’s national Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/05/world/asia/indonesia-earthquake.html
JAKARTA, Indonesia — A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of the Indonesian resort island of Lombok near Bali on Sunday evening, killing at least 37 people and triggering a tsunami warning, officials said.
The earthquake — initially announced as a magnitude 6.8 then revised to 7.0 — struck off Lombok’s north coast and was felt on Bali, just to the west, Indonesia’s national Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/05/world/asia/indonesia-earthquake.html
Nytimes
Powerful Indonesia Earthquake Kills at Least 82
The quake on Sunday occurred a week after a another earthquake struck Lombok, a popular tourist destination east of Bali.
U.S. to Restore Sanctions on Iran Following Withdrawal From Nuclear Deal
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said it would restore sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear accord at midnight on Monday, ratcheting up pressure on Tehran while worsening a divide with Europe.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/06/us/politics/iran-sanctions-trump.html
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said it would restore sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear accord at midnight on Monday, ratcheting up pressure on Tehran while worsening a divide with Europe.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/06/us/politics/iran-sanctions-trump.html
NY Times
U.S. to Restore Sanctions on Iran, Deepening Divide With Europe (Published 2018)
The Trump administration is betting that the sanctions, which had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear accord that the president abandoned, will force Iran to curb its weapons program.
Mendocino Complex Fire Grows to Become Largest Wildfire in California History
A wildfire burning through Northern California became the state’s largest on record on Monday, scorching more than 283,000 acres, officials said.
https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/western-wildfires/mendocino-complex-fire-grows-become-largest-wildfire-california-history-n898206
A wildfire burning through Northern California became the state’s largest on record on Monday, scorching more than 283,000 acres, officials said.
https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/western-wildfires/mendocino-complex-fire-grows-become-largest-wildfire-california-history-n898206
NBC News
Wildfire nearly twice Tucson's size becomes California's largest ever
More than 14,000 firefighters are now battling over a dozen major blazes across the state.
Stolen Plane Crashes After Airline Employee Takes Off From Seattle Airport
An airline employee took off in a stolen plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday night in an episode that frustrated stranded travelers, riveted witnesses and ended with the plane crashing about 30 miles from the airport, the authorities said.
The man, a 29-year-old who acted alone, was thought to be suicidal, said officials in Pierce County, where the plane crashed. No one else was believed to be on the 76-seat plane or injured on the ground.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/11/us/seattle-plane-crash-stolen.html?3
An airline employee took off in a stolen plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday night in an episode that frustrated stranded travelers, riveted witnesses and ended with the plane crashing about 30 miles from the airport, the authorities said.
The man, a 29-year-old who acted alone, was thought to be suicidal, said officials in Pierce County, where the plane crashed. No one else was believed to be on the 76-seat plane or injured on the ground.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/11/us/seattle-plane-crash-stolen.html?3
NY Times
Stolen Plane Crashes After Airline Employee Takes Off From Seattle Airport (Published 2018)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport said no passengers were on the 76-seat plane, which officials said was taken by an airline employee believed to be suicidal.
Italy Bridge Collapse Leaves 26 Dead
GENOA, Italy — A bridge in the heart of Genoa collapsed on Tuesday, killing 26 people as dozens of vehicles and tons of concrete and steel plunged onto city streets below in a disaster that prompted an emergency review of Italy’s aging infrastructure.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/14/world/europe/italy-genoa-bridge-collapse.html?4
GENOA, Italy — A bridge in the heart of Genoa collapsed on Tuesday, killing 26 people as dozens of vehicles and tons of concrete and steel plunged onto city streets below in a disaster that prompted an emergency review of Italy’s aging infrastructure.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/14/world/europe/italy-genoa-bridge-collapse.html?4
Nytimes
Italy Bridge Collapse Leaves 26 Dead
Buildings and vehicles were crushed by the collapse in Genoa, while some people somehow survived. An official said that the bridge had shown previous “signs of problems.”
Aretha Franklin, Indomitable ‘Queen of Soul,’ Dies at 76
Aretha Franklin, universally acclaimed as the “Queen of Soul” and one of America’s greatest singers in any style, died on Thursday at her home in Detroit. She was 76.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/obituaries/aretha-franklin-dead.html
Aretha Franklin, universally acclaimed as the “Queen of Soul” and one of America’s greatest singers in any style, died on Thursday at her home in Detroit. She was 76.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/obituaries/aretha-franklin-dead.html
NY Times
Aretha Franklin, Indomitable ‘Queen of Soul,’ Dies at 76 (Published 2018)
With hits like “Respect” and “Chain of Fools,” she defined a female archetype: sensual and strong, long-suffering but ultimately indomitable.
Kofi Annan, Who Redefined the U.N., Dies at 80
Kofi Annan, a soft-spoken and patrician diplomat from Ghana, who became the seventh secretary general of the United Nations, projecting himself and his organization as the world’s conscience and moral arbiter despite bloody debacles that left indelible stains on his record as a peacekeeper, died on Saturday. He was 80.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/18/obituaries/kofi-annan-dead.html
Kofi Annan, a soft-spoken and patrician diplomat from Ghana, who became the seventh secretary general of the United Nations, projecting himself and his organization as the world’s conscience and moral arbiter despite bloody debacles that left indelible stains on his record as a peacekeeper, died on Saturday. He was 80.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/18/obituaries/kofi-annan-dead.html
NY Times
Kofi Annan, Who Redefined the U.N., Dies at 80 (Published 2018)
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001, he projected himself and his organization as the world’s conscience and moral arbiter, despite a series of failures and scandals.
Michael Cohen Says He Arranged Payments to Women at Trump’s Direction
Michael D. Cohen, President Trump’s former lawyer, made the extraordinary admission in court on Tuesday that Mr. Trump had directed him to arrange payments to two women during the 2016 campaign to keep them from speaking publicly about affairs they said they had with Mr. Trump.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/21/nyregion/michael-cohen-plea-deal-trump.html?7
Michael D. Cohen, President Trump’s former lawyer, made the extraordinary admission in court on Tuesday that Mr. Trump had directed him to arrange payments to two women during the 2016 campaign to keep them from speaking publicly about affairs they said they had with Mr. Trump.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/21/nyregion/michael-cohen-plea-deal-trump.html?7
Nytimes
Michael Cohen Says He Arranged Payments to Women at Trump’s Direction
Mr. Cohen made the admission as he pleaded guilty to tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations in federal court in Manhattan.