US News
McCain Making Surprise Return to Congress
Senator John McCain is slated to participate in healthcare votes in the Senate Tuesday, despite his recent surgery and brain cancer diagnosis. McCain’s office said he would return to the Senate “to continue working on important legislation, including health care reform, the National Defense Authorization Act, and new sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea.”—VICE News
White House Mulling How to Remove AG Sessions, Report Says
Key members of President Trump’s team are considering replacing Attorney General Jeff Sessions, according to anonymous officials privy to the discussions. Trump described Sessions as “beleaguered” on Twitter Monday and followed up by labeling him “very weak” Tuesday, both jabs in reference to the attorney general’s stance on Hillary Clinton’s alleged “crimes.”—Washington Post/VICE News
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Trump Berates ‘Fake News’ Washington Post
In his latest series of angry late night tweets, President Trump attacked the Washington Post and its owner Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. Trump said the newspaper had “fabricated the facts” on American withdrawal of training and logistical support for Syrian rebels—before questioning whether the outlet’s integrity: “Is Fake News Washington Post being used as a lobbyist weapon against Congress to keep Politicians from looking into Amazon no-tax monopoly?”—USA Today
Truck Driver Accused of Trafficking Deaths Claims Innocence
The 60-year-old driver of the tractor trailer found in Texas with dead migrants inside has said he did not know the vehicle was full of people. James Matthew Bradley Jr. has been charged with causing ten deaths through illegal transportation of immigrants. According to court documents, Bradley Jr. claimed he was “surprised when he was run over by ‘Spanish’ people” upon opening the doors.—AP
International News
Israel to Remove Controversial Metal Detectors in Jerusalem
The Israeli government has promised to get rid of metal detectors from the holy site in Jerusalem containing the al-Aqsa mosque. The presence of metal detectors at the Old City compound—after two Israeli cops were fatally shot there by Israeli Arabs on July 14—has provoked anger among Palestinians.—The Guardian
Swiss Police Search for Chainsaw Attacker
Police are still searching for a man suspected of attacking and wounding five people with a chainsaw Monday in an insurance company office in the Swiss town of Schaffhausen. Law enforcement identified the suspect as Franz Wrousis, 51. Chief prosecutor Peter Sticher said Wrousis was “aggressive, dangerous, and mentally conspicuous.”—Reuters/CNN
Sri Lanka’s Dengue Fever Outbreak Leaves Almost 300 Dead
The Sri Lankan ministry of health revealed that 296 people have died of dengue fever this year, as the country struggles with an ongoing outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease. The Red Cross is set to spend an additional $300,000 on treatment and efforts to prevent the disease from spreading beyond the more than 100,000 people already infected.—Al Jazeera
Canadian Sect Leaders Convicted of Polygamy
Two senior members of a religious sect in the Canadian province of British Columbia have been found guilty of offenses relating to polygamy. Winston Blackmore married 25 women and James Oler married five in Bountiful, a community forged as an escape from the Mormon Church. Both men now face up to five years in prison.—AP
Everything Else
‘Despacito’ Team Condemns Venezuelan President
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee have condemned Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro after he changed the lyrics to “Despacito” in a bid to boost support for his plan to change the constitution. Fonsi said the music was “not to be used as propaganda,” while Yankee said Maduro had “illegally appropriated” the song.—Billboard
Bieber Apologizes for Canceling Tour Dates
Justin Bieber has apologized to fans after scrapping the final dates of his world tour, a series of shows in Asia. Bieber reportedly said he was “sorry for anyone who feels, like, disappointed or betrayed,” and was ready to rest.—Rolling Stone
JAY-Z Releases Latest Footnotes Video
Chris Rock, Trevor Noah, and Mahershala Ali all appear in a “footnotes” video that serves as an addendum to JAY-Z’s new album 4:44. In the new TIDAL-exclusive visual for the track “Kill Jay Z,” the stars discuss the benefits and limitations of the ego.—HipHopDX
A$AP Rocky Drops Video for Frank Ocean Collaboration
A$AP Rocky stars in the newly released video for “RAF,” his collaboration with Frank Ocean. Playboi Carti and Quavo, who feature on the track, also appear in the VHS-style visual, but Ocean does not.—Noisey
Netflix Drops Trailer for New Margaret Atwood Adaptation
Netflix has released a trailer for Alias Grace, the next TV adaptation of novelist Margaret Atwood’s work after the acclaimed series based on The Handmaid’s Tale. The forthcoming miniseries revolves around a woman who has served 15 years for murder.—i-D
