politicnewsbusterinsiderpostreview: U.S. takes out al Qaeda leader

By Marita Vlachou

Tuesday, August 2

U.S. OPERATION KILLED AL QAEDA LEADER AYMAN AL-ZAWAHRI President Joe Biden confirmed a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan killed al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri. Biden said he hopes this brings "one more measure of closure" to families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S. [AP]

KENTUCKY FLOOD HORROR FAR FROM OVER, HUNDREDS STILL MISSING The catastrophic flooding in Kentucky has claimed at least 35 lives, officials said as rescue workers searched for hundreds more people who remain unaccounted for. The death toll is certain to rise, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said, and more rain in the forecast threatens to compound the devastation and hinder rescue efforts. [HuffPost]

WHITE HOUSE WARNS CHINA NOT TO USE PELOSI VISIT TO TAIWAN AS EXCUSE TO ESCALATE TENSIONS The White House warned China not to use House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's likely visit to Taiwan to escalate tensions with the U.S. or the island that considers itself an independent nation. John Kirby, the coordinator of strategic communications of the National Security Council, said Pelosi's potential stop there was no different from previous visits of other top congressional leaders and that China's leaders need to understand the U.S. system of separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. [HuffPost]

JAN. 6 RIOTER GETS 7 YEARS AFTER DOJ LABELS HIM A DOMESTIC TERRORIST A Jan. 6 defendant the Department of Justice described as a domestic terrorist was sentenced to over seven years in prison, the longest sentence handed out to a Jan. 6 rioter so far. Guy Reffitt was found guilty of five felonies by a federal jury in March, including transporting a firearm, bringing a firearm to a restricted area, and obstruction of justice after he threatened his children if they reported him to law enforcement. [HuffPost]

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TRUMP ENDORSES 'ERIC' IN U.S. SENATE RACE IN MISSOURI. BUT THERE ARE 2 ERICS. Former President Donald Trump unveiled his endorsement for Missouri's Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat — "ERIC," a "MAGA Champion and True Warrior." The only problem: Two of the leading GOP candidates are named Eric. The endorsement was so unclear that both Eric Greitens, the state's former governor who resigned amid a sexual assault scandal, and Eric Schmitt, the state's attorney general, claimed Trump's support moments after the email went out. [HuffPost]

SENATORS INTRODUCE LONG-SHOT BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO PROTECT SOME ABORTION ACCESS In an attempt to find some middle ground, a group of senators from both parties introduced a long-shot bill that would prohibit states from banning abortion before a fetus is viable. The bill is co-authored by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). For now, the effort is more symbolic than anything else. [HuffPost]

BROWNS QB DESHAUN WATSON SUSPENDED FOR 6 GAMES Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy following accusations of sexual misconduct made against him by two dozen women in Texas, two people familiar with the decision said. [AP]

ALEX JONES GLOATS ABOUT BANKRUPTCY PLOT TO TIE UP SANDY HOOK DAMAGES 'FOR YEARS' Far-right conspiracy podcaster Alex Jones gloated on his program about how his latest bankruptcy scheme would slash defamation damages to Sandy Hook families and tie up even the reduced amounts "for years." [HuffPost]

BRITTNEY GRINER'S TRIAL RESUMES AMID INTENSIFIED DIPLOMACY

Since Brittney Griner last appeared in her trial for cannabis possession, the question of her fate has expanded from a tiny, cramped courtroom on Moscow's outskirts to the highest level of Russia-U.S. diplomacy. The WNBA star returns to court Tuesday, a month after the beginning of the trial in which she could face 10 years in prison if convicted. [AP]

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