Here are select headlines making today’s top stories.
A woman watched her husband and daughter drown at the Mexican border, report says
A father and daughter lie face down in murky waters littered with reeds and discarded beer bottles. Their heads are wrapped in a black T-shirt — her tiny right arm draped over his shoulders.
The US isn’t interested in dialogue with Iran, France says
The United States is not interested in pursuing dialogue with Iran despite President Trump’s insistence he is willing to sit down for talks, according to one of the European nations attempting to mediate between the two sides.
Inside Afghanistan’s vacation hotspot
(CNN) – You can camp. You can picnic. You can even rent swan-shaped paddle boats to navigate one of six deep blue lakes that shimmer high in the Hindu Kush mountains, amid picturesque red-hued cliffs and rocky natural dams. Sounds like an idyllic vacation destination, until you consider that Band-e Amir National Park lies in the heart of Afghanistan, a nation still firmly under “do not travel” advisories from the United States and other countries.
China bans all meat from Canada alleging forged customs certificates
The Chinese government has announced a suspension on imported meat products from Canada over claims of forged customs documents, the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the two countries.
First Democratic debates mark the real start to the 2020 campaign
It’s the moment that Democrats have been anticipating since the tearful trauma of Election Night 2016 — when their campaign to make Donald Trump a one-term President really begins.
US women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe says she’s ‘not going to the f*****g White House’
“We’re not gonna be invited. I doubt it,” Megan Rapinoe says. The US national team is competing in the Women’s World Cup, and plays host country France on Friday.
San Francisco passes ban on e-cigarette sales, a US first
City officials cite vapes’ popularity among youth as a key reason for introducing these measures. But critics of the ordinance say it could harm businesses and remove what some groups describe as a less-harmful alternative for adult smokers.
Body pulled from the East River is that of missing YouTuber Etika, New York police say
A body pulled from the East River has been identified as that of missing YouTuber Desmond Amofah, better known by his online name, Etika, New York police said Tuesday.
‘I was raped by Gambia’s ex-President Jammeh’
A 23-year-old former beauty queen in The Gambia, Toufah Jallow, has said she was raped in 2015 by ex-President Yahya Jammeh when he was in office. Her testimony is part of a Human Rights Watch and Trial International report that details another alleged rape and sexual assault by Mr Jammeh.
Democrats seek $4.5bn aid for border migrants
Democrats in the US House of Representatives have approved $4.5bn (£3.5bn) in humanitarian aid for the southern border. Several migrant deaths, coupled with reports of “severely neglected” children at a Texan border patrol station, have helped shape the debate. But the bill faces a tough path through the Republican-controlled Senate.
Drowning photo exposes US border risk for migrants
El Salvador’s government has warned people against risking their lives to reach the US after a man and his baby daughter drowned in the Rio Grande. Photos of their bodies, found face down in shallow water with the 23-month-old girl’s arm around her father’s neck, have sparked condemnation.
Paris region closes schools as heatwave grips
France is starting to close dozens of schools because of a heatwave, with temperatures expected to climb above 40C (104F) in some regions on Thursday. About 50 schools in the Essonne region, just south of Paris, are being shut, as they lack sufficient air conditioning.
Why time seems to speed up as we get older – BBC Reel
Ever wondered where the last year of your life went? Neuroscientist David Eagleman sheds some light on the time-bending power of your brain.
‘The Office’ is leaving Netflix for good — but not until 2021
It’s a sad day for the Netflix-subscribed people of Scranton. In a move that surprises no one but enrages everyone, NBC has officially announced its plans to pull all nine seasons of The Office from Netflix streaming, starting in 2021.
Facebook pushes new rules for political advertising worldwide
Facebook is ramping up its new tightened restrictions on political advertising. About a year after the company first introduced its tools to increase “transparency” around political ads in the U.S., Facebook is expanding those rules worldwide.
Arnold Schwarzenegger pushes gas guzzlers as undercover car salesperson
That’s sleazy used car salesman Howard Kleiner back in action, this time trying to get would-be electric car buyers hyped about gas-guzzling, fossil fuel-burning cars. Except it’s – surprise! – former California governor, body builder, and movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger with a fake mustache and wig.
Instagram head says the app does not eavesdrop to show you better ads
For years, Instagram users have been wondering if the app uses your phone’s microphone to listen to private conversations. After all, just about everyone who regularly uses Instagram has a story about a targeted ad showing up for something they spoke openly about not long before.
Someone said ‘Ed Sheeran got hot’ and now it’s a meme
Ed Sheeran is many things: Singer, songwriter, former Game of Thrones guest star, and now, it appears, he is also hot. For many, the realization came after Twitter user @snollygoster111 tweeted two photos of a shirtless Sheeran showing off his tattoos. “GUYS ED SHEERAN GOT HOT,” the tweet read.
