Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has broken with former President Donald Trump, saying that he is "self-centered, self-possessed, and self-consumed". Florida Governor Ron DeSantis acknowledged that Trump had lost the 2020 election, while Trump spokesperson Steve Cheung accused DeSantis of being "Joe Biden's biggest cheerleader". Christie has said that if Trump were to become president again, he would take him at his word, as the Republican party continues to grapple with Trump's legacy.
News Mash
On Saturday, a bear escaped from its crate in the cargo hold of an Iraqi aircraft, causing a delay in takeoff and sparking a stir on social media. Iraqi Airways reported that all procedures to transport the animal were followed, and Iraq's Prime Minister has ordered an investigation into the incident. The outcome of the investigation is yet to be determined.
Tou Thao, a former Minneapolis police officer, was sentenced to 57 months in prison on Monday for his role in the death of George Floyd. The incident sparked protests around the world and led to a national conversation about police brutality and racism. Judge Peter Cahill approved a Minneapolis police reform deal in the wake of Floyd's death, which includes a ban on neck restraints and chokeholds.
Italian police have apprehended a long-time fugitive, who was on Italy's list of 100 most dangerous criminals, after he was spotted in a photo celebrating his hometown team's soccer championship. The man, who has alleged mafia links, was betrayed by his passion for the Napoli team, which gave him away when he was seen holding a scarf in the team's colors. He had been on the run for 11 years, but was finally apprehended on the Greek island of Corfu and is now awaiting extradition back to Italy.
Former President Donald Trump's attorney, John Lauro, made the rounds on several news outlets to deny allegations that Trump knowingly spread lies about the 2020 election being stolen, arguing that Trump's attempts to pressure election officials were simply "free speech." Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) called Lauro's argument "deranged," and CNN's Dana Bash laughed incredulously at Lauro's suggestion that there was a "peaceful transfer of power" following the 2020 election. Lauro's media blitz was met with criticism from both sides of the aisle, with some arguing that Trump's actions were a violation of the Constitution and others feeling that Lauro's attempts to downplay the former president's actions were misguided.
Two firefighting helicopters collided in mid-air while battling a blaze in Riverside County, California, resulting in the death of a CalFire division chief, a CalFire captain and a contract pilot. The crash also sparked an additional four acre fire that was quickly extinguished. The cause of the crash is still under investigation and is a reminder of the risks that firefighters face every day.
The Secret Service of Ukraine (SSU) has arrested a woman in connection with an alleged assassination plot against President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia has launched more than 70 missiles and drones at Ukraine in recent weeks, resulting in two deaths and four injuries in a "large scale fire" in the northeast. The Ukrainian government has urged the international community to take action to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
South Korea is evacuating 36,000 scouts from the World Scout Jamboree due to the impending arrival of Tropical Storm Khanun. The evacuation process is expected to take six hours or more, and the scouts will be transported by bus to venues in Seoul and the nearby metropolitan area. Hot temperatures have already caused thousands of British and American scouts to leave the site, and the South Korean government is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the scouts.