“Investigators on Monday released the name of the Madison police officer who shot and killed a 38-year-old [b]lack man in July — a shooting that was captured on video and sparked protests that put Wisconsin’s capital city on edge over how authorities treat people of color. Kiel Baitinger-Peterson, a white officer with nearly 11 years’ experience in law enforcement, fired the shots that killed Corey Ruiz on July 22, the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation said in a statement. Baitinger-Peterson was one of four officers who surrounded Ruiz, who was on a bike, in response to calls about someone who was checking out parked cars and an alleged burglary attempt, police said. The shooting sparked days of protests and calls from the [b]lack community for Madison to address racial justice issues. Baitinger-Peterson did not reply to an email seeking comment.” (08/10/26)
“Ken Krawchuk and John Thomas, the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial ticket, have officially completed the signature petitioning process and qualified for the state’s general election ballot this November. … Though certified, the ticket’s nomination papers still remain subject to a challenge through the state’s objection period, which runs until August 10. In the event that happens, Pennsylvania courts then have until August 18 to determine their outcome. … The Libertarian ticket joins incumbent Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Republican nominees Stacy Garrity and Jason Richey, and Green nominees Anthony Dastra and Craig Bolton, all of whom have also qualified.” (08/09/26)
“A Ukrainian drone attack Monday on the Russian city of Nizhnekamsk killed 13 people and wounded 38 others, authorities in the Tatarstan region said. Ukraine has targeted Russian oil facilities with long-range drones almost daily in recent months. The barrage has caused fuel shortages in Russia, eaten into Russian refining capacity, and unsettled the Russian public. … Nizhnekamsk is roughly 750 miles east of the Ukrainian border and has a population of about 240,000. The city is an important oil refining hub, home to two refineries and a petrochemical plant.” (08/10/26)
“Oil prices are climbing as Iran’s latest demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz dampen hopes for a return to stability in global energy markets. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose more than 1 percent on Monday as Tehran’s insistence that the critical waterway will not reopen without major concessions from the United States stoked market anxiety. … Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that while Iran and Oman were close to an agreement on Hormuz, the waterway would not reopen until Washington met certain conditions, including easing sanctions on Tehran and paying war reparations.” (08/10/26)
“A new Food and Drug Administration report details a massive produce recall linked to a nationwide cyclospora outbreak, involving nearly 240,000 cases of lettuce. The recall, initiated by supplier Taylor Farms, was due to potential cyclospora contamination in iceberg and romaine lettuce, some mixed with other vegetables. Walmart’s Marketside brand received the largest share of the recalled produce with 109,476 cases, and major fast-food chains like Subway, Yum! Brands (Taco Bell) and Jack in the Box also removed thousands of cases.” (08/09/26)
“U.S. Representative Ed Case easily fended off a Democratic primary challenge from a progressive rival for one of Hawaii’s congressional seats, election results showed late Saturday. Case’s victory over Jarrett Keohokalole, 43, marks the latest front of the battle roiling U.S. Democratic politics in which seasoned lawmakers have been pitted against more progressive newcomers. Case, 73, won 57% of the votes in his district, compared with Keohokalole’s 34%, official results showed. Neither could be reached immediately for comment on Sunday. Three others had also sought the Democratic nomination for the Honolulu-based district that is seen as safely Democratic.” (08/09/26)
“Syria and Russia have come to an agreement reorganizing Moscow’s military presence in the country after more than a year and a half of negotiations, the Syrian foreign ministry announced on Sunday. … The Syrian foreign ministry announcement on Sunday said the two countries had reached a memorandum of understanding that outlines a reorganized Russia’s presence on the Syrian coast, at the Hmeimim Air Base outside the city of Latakia and at the Tartus naval port, according to state media. Civilian facilities will be transferred to Syrian government management and gradually integrated into the country’s civilian administration, and Russian military bases will be turned into joint training centers, according to the ministry.” (08/09/26)
“President Trump on Saturday posted photos of alleged vandalism to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool amid a push for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro to revisit a recent decision to drop charges related to the pool. Late Saturday, the president posted two photos of what appeared to be graffiti and some peeling of the coating of the pool. Both photos were labeled with the word ‘Vandalism.’ Trump is pushing for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to backtrack on its move to drop criminal charges against people accused of damaging the site. The president pressed for Pirro to ‘re-visit her hastily made decision’ on Friday. Pirro’s office has stated contractors who undertook renovation efforts on the pool were behind the damage.” (08/09/26)
“The Irish government jet carrying suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan has departed Dubai for Dublin. The 49-year-old was arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in April and is being extradited to the Republic of Ireland to face a charge of directing a criminal organisation. Kinahan will be immediately charged upon his arrival in Dublin and then brought by Gardaí (Irish police) to appear before the the non-jury, three judge Special Criminal Court on Sunday evening. A large-scale security operation is in place. Ahead of the extradition the Irish Prison Service bought a bulletproof and bombproof van which can be used to escort prisoners who are considered high-risk. … Daniel Kinahan’s lawyer previously told BBC Panorama that he has no criminal record or convictions and allegations about him being a crime boss are false and have no evidential basis.” (08/09/26)
Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful tropical cyclone to hit China this year, made landfall on the country’s eastern coast on Sunday, bringing torrential rain and strong winds and triggering warnings of flooding and landslides. The typhoon has already swept through Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture, injuring six people and cutting power to more than 50,000 buildings. … Transport was widely disrupted across the east of the country and more than 1 million people were evacuated from their homes.” (08/09/26)
