What to Know
- President Trump chose Brett Kavanaugh, a solidly conservative, politically connected judge, for the Supreme Court
- Over the course of four days during the Fourth of July holiday, Richmond County in New York reported 10 overdoses, some fatal, officials say
- George Clooney was taken to the hospital in Italy and released after being involved in an accident while riding a motorcycle, officials say
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Trump Picks Brett Kavanaugh for Court, Setting Up Fight With Dems
President Trump chose Brett Kavanaugh, a solidly conservative, politically connected judge, for the Supreme Court, setting up a ferocious confirmation battle with Democrats as he seeks to shift the nation's highest court ever further to the right. A favorite of the Republican legal establishment in Washington, Kavanaugh, 53, is a former law clerk for retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. Like Trump's first nominee last year, Justice Neil Gorsuch, Kavanaugh would be a young addition who could help remake the court for decades to come with rulings that could restrict abortion, expand gun rights and roll back key parts of Obamacare. With Kavanaugh, Trump is replacing a swing vote on the nine-member court with a staunch conservative. Kavanaugh, who serves on the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, is expected to be less receptive to abortion and gay rights than Kennedy was. He also has taken an expansive view of executive power and has favored limits on investigating the president.
Thai Cave Rescue: 9th Boy Pulled Out as Mission Nears End
A ninth boy has been rescued from a flooded cave in northern Thailand, according to a post on the Thai Navy SEAL Facebook page. The news was announced not long after an ambulance had been seen leaving the site of the Thai cave where divers are carrying out what they hope is a final mission to bring out the remaining boys and their soccer coach who are still trapped deep inside. Two more boys were brought out, according to NBC News' British partner ITV News. NBC News hasn't immediately verified that report. At least nine ambulances have been waiting at the site after the leader of the rescue operation said his aim Tuesday was to bring out all five as well as a medic and three Thai Navy SEALS who have been with the trapped boys. Health experts described the boys already brought out as being in good spirits. They have strong immune systems because they are soccer players, a senior health official said.
Staten Island Sees Spike in Drug Overdoses, District Attorney Says
Local
Over the course of four days during the Independence Day holiday, Richmond County in New York reported 10 overdoses, some which proved to be fatal, authorities announced. District Attorney Michael McMahon reported that between July 4 and July 7, three fatal and seven non-fatal overdoses took place in Staten Island. According to McMahon, who reported a spike in overdoses in Staten Island and called the heroin epidemic “an out-of-control fire,” there have been 60 suspected fatal overdoses and an additional 149 Naloxone saves so far this year. Authorities say that last week’s victims included both men and women ranging between 19 and 60 years old, with most overdoses taking place inside private homes and two of the non-fatal overdoses occurring in public places: inside a Burger King bathroom and inside a bathroom at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.
George Clooney Released After Motorcycle Crash in Italy
Actor George Clooney was taken to the hospital in Sardinia and released after being involved in an accident while riding his motorcycle, hospital officials said. The John Paul II hospital in Olbia said Clooney was released. Local media that had gathered at the hospital said Clooney is believed to have left through a side exit. Local daily La Nuova Sardegna said the 57-year-old Clooney had been headed to a film set on Tuesday when his motorbike was hit by a car. Private Mediaset, citing gossip magazine Chi, said the accident occurred near Costa Corallina, in the province of Olbia. Police had no immediate information. Calls and emails to Clooney's spokesman weren't immediately returned. Clooney has a home on the Italian mainland, on Lake Como.
Justin Bieber Confirms Engagement to Hailey Baldwin
Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin are engaged, E! News confirmed. The 24-year-old singer confirmed his engagement with the 21-year-old model (daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin) via Instagram. "They are engaged and it happened Saturday night in front of a crowd in Baker's Bay," a source told E! News exclusively. "Justin made arrangements for the ring when they were in NYC and knew that he wanted to propose to her. It was a sudden decision but Justin always knew Hailey and him had a special bond that was incomparable." "The proposal was a very happy moment and Hailey was taken off guard," the source said. "Her face was in shock but you could tell they are both so in love."
Actor Tab Hunter, Star of “Damn Yankees!” Movie, Dies at 86
Tab Hunter, the blond actor and singer who was a heartthrob for millions of teenage girls in the 1950s with such films as "Battle Cry" and "Damn Yankees!" and received new attention decades later when he revealed that he was gay, has died. He was 86. Producer and longtime partner Allan Glaser said Hunter died of a blood clot in his leg that caused cardiac arrest. Glaser called the death was "sudden and unexpected." Hunter was a star for several years. In addition to his hit movies, his recording of "Young Love" topped the Billboard pop chart in 1957. But in his 2005 memoir, "Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star," Hunter recounted the stresses of being a love object to millions of young women when he was, in reality, a gay man.
