5 things to know for July 11: Jan. 6, Ukraine, Uvalde, Japan, Brittney Griner
By Andrew Torgan, CNN
A wildfire in California’s Yosemite National Park is threatening the famed Mariposa Grove of giant sequoia trees, but so far none of the trees have suffered significant damage. The 1,591-acre Washburn Fire began on July 7 and doubled in size from Saturday to Sunday, park officials said. Fire crews removed undergrowth near the famed trees and did a prescribed burn to create a safety zone. Mariposa Grove is home to more than 500 giant sequoia trees, with some believed to be more than 2,000 years old.
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1. January 6
Members of the House select committee investigating the attack on the US Capitol say the panel’s next public hearing on Tuesday will focus on how the violent mob came together and the role of extremist groups in the deadly insurrection. “We are going to be connecting the dots during these hearings between these groups and those who were trying — in government circles — to overturn the election,” Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday. The congresswoman said the hearings will focus on connections between the Trump administration and militia groups such as the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. Florida Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy, who also sits on the committee, told NBC Sunday that the panel could present evidence that members of Congress encouraged extremist groups to come to Washington on January 6, echoing former President Donald Trump’s tweet the previous month that January 6 would “be wild.” She called that tweet a “siren call” for those groups.
2. Ukraine
Ukraine’s emergency services say the death toll from a Russian rocket strike on an apartment building in the Donetsk region over the weekend has risen to 18. The State Emergency Service said that six people had been rescued from the rubble of the building in the town of Chasiv Yar, which was hit on Saturday evening as Russia once again ramped up its assault on eastern Ukraine in an attempt to take control over the entire Donbas area. Chasiv Yar and other towns in Donetsk have been under heavy fire in recent days as Russian forces try to grind down Ukrainian resistance in the area and move west towards Kramatorsk and Slovyansk.
3. Uvalde
The Texas House Investigative Committee’s preliminary report into the massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde could be released within the next 10 days, and the committee’s chairman is pushing for the report to include the critical 77 minutes of “hallway” surveillance video, according to a source close to the committee. The chairman is not pushing for the release of any video showing victims or footage of violence, per this source. The shooting took place May 24, when a gunman killed 19 young students and two teachers inside a classroom before authorities breached the door more than an hour later. Rep. Dustin Burrows, the committee chairman, said on Twitter last week that he is prohibited from releasing the video because he signed a non-disclosure agreement with Texas Department of Public Safety. In his tweet, Burrows attached a letter to the DPS asking for permission to release the video, and a response from DPS denying the request.
4. Japan elections
Japan’s ruling coalition swept to victory on Sunday in an election that took on heightened significance following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe, 67, was shot on Friday in the city of Nara while delivering a speech in support of candidates from his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), stunning a nation with one of the world’s lowest rates of gun violence. Japan’s leaders had urged the public to turn out and vote, denouncing the killing as an attack on democracy. On Sunday, days ahead of Abe’s wake and funeral, the conservative LDP won more than half of the 125 seats up for grabs, according to Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK.
5. Brittney Griner
Bill Richardson, the former New Mexico governor and US Ambassador to the United Nations, is expected to travel to Russia soon to discuss securing the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan, according to a source. The planned trip to Moscow by Richardson, who privately works on behalf of families of hostages and detainees, comes amid US government efforts to free the two Americans and mounting pressure to bring them home. Both Griner and Whelan are considered wrongfully detained by the US government, and both of their families have been working with the non-profit Richardson Center. News of the trip comes days after Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February after being arrested on drug smuggling charges, pleaded guilty in a court outside Moscow. She faces up to 10 years in prison. Whelan was arrested in 2018 on espionage charges he vehemently denies. He was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in prison.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
‘Thor’ nabs a mighty box office opening
Despite mixed reviews from audiences and critics alike, “Thor: Love and Thunder” made an estimated $143 million domestically in its opening weekend.
Netflix releases a home renovation show with a twist
The show is called “How To Build a Sex Room.” Yes, you read that right…
Shawn Mendes postpones his tour to focus on his mental health
The Grammy-nominated singer said he is postponing the next three weeks of his concert dates “until further notice” to “take care of myself and my mental health, first and foremost.”
Mario Lopez is helping lead the search for a new generation of Menudo
Latin boy band Menudo is eyeing a return with a new generation of talent, and Lopez — a ​​former teen idol himself — is lending a hand.
A giant fossil is being put up for auction
If you’ve got an extra $8 million burning a hole in your pocket, this spectacular Gorgosaurus skeleton could be yours!
TODAY’S NUMBER
21
That’s how many Grand Slam titles Novak Djokovic now holds after winning his fourth straight Wimbledon men’s singles title on Sunday. The Serbian star faced Nick Kyrgios in an enthralling final on Centre Court, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3). Djokovic is now one Grand Slam title behind the men’s record of 22 held by Rafael Nadal.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“The Twitter Board is committed to closing the transaction on the price and terms agreed upon with Mr. Musk and plans to pursue legal action to enforce the merger agreement.”
— Twitter board chair Bret Taylor, tweeting in response to the news that Tesla CEO Elon Musk wants to terminate his $44 billion deal to buy Twitter. Musk’s move is the latest twist in a whirlwind series of events in which the billionaire became the company’s biggest shareholder, turned down a board seat, agreed to buy the social media platform and then started raising doubts about going through with the deal.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY
Norwegian Forest Cats solving a puzzle for dogs
You can practically hear the gears whirring in their feline brains during this quest for treats. (Click here to view)
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