10 things you need to know today: July 22, 2016
1.
Donald Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday, telling convention delegates that the country is in a "moment of crisis" and promising to "restore law and order." The billionaire businessman and former reality TV star unleashed a sharp attack of his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, saying that as President Obama's secretary of state she built a legacy of "death, destruction, terrorism, and weakness." Before Trump spoke, his daughter Ivanka tried to soften his image, saying her father "is color blind and gender neutral."
2.
Roger Ailes resigned on Thursday as head of Fox News after former anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment. Ailes led the conservative cable news channel for 20 years, building it from scratch into a money-making ratings juggernaut. He reportedly stands to get a $40 million exit package. Rupert Murdoch, the 85-year-old executive co-chairman of the news channel's parent — 21st Century Fox — will take over as acting CEO until a permanent replacement is hired.
3.
Hillary Clinton is expected to announce her vice-presidential pick on Friday. Democrats close to her say Sen. Tim Kaine, a Spanish-speaking former governor from the battleground state of Virginia, is at the top of her short-list. Clinton also reportedly has been considering Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey. Kaine and Vilsack are considered favorites, because Clinton reportedly wants a strong governing partner with extensive experience who is ready for the presidency.
4.
Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said Thursday that Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, the Tunisian-born man who killed 84 people with a truck in Nice, France, plotted the July 14 attack for months with "support and accomplices." Police are investigating five suspects who were taken into custody after Bouhlel plowed through a crowd at the end of a Bastille Day fireworks show. One suspect allegedly told Bouhlel via Facebook, "Load the truck with tons of iron and cut the brakes. I'll look brother."
5.
Authorities in North Miami, Florida, have opened an investigation into the shooting of an unarmed black man named Charles Kinsey. Police shot Kinsey in the leg as he was lying down with his arms in the air. A bystander caught part of the encounter on smartphone video. Kinsey is a therapist at an assisted living facility, and he was trying to care for an autistic man who was sitting in the street holding a toy truck. A local Police Benevolent Association official said the officer, fearing for Kinsey's life, fired at the other man, but accidentally hit Kinsey.
6.
Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson leads Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump among active duty military service members, according to a new non-scientific poll of 3,500 respondents by military personality "Doctrine Man." More than 38 percent of the service members polled said they preferred Johnson, a former Republican governor of New Mexico. Trump had the support of 30.9 percent of respondents, and Clinton just 14.1 percent. A recent Military Times poll showed Trump leading Clinton 2-1 among active military personnel, with both highly unpopular but still leading Johnson.
7.
Malaysia, Australia, and China have jointly decided to suspend the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 once the hunt for wreckage is completed in the 46,300-square-mile area being examined now, ministers from the three countries announced Friday. The plane disappeared more than two years ago on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board. The plane is believed to have turned off course, and finally headed south into the Indian Ocean west of Australia. Officials said the hunt could resume "should credible new information emerge."
8.
Mourners lined up on Thursday to attend funerals and memorial services for the three law enforcement officers — Baton Rouge police officers Matthew Gerald and Montrell Jackson and East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Deputy Brad Garafola — who were killed Sunday by a gunman in an ambush. People stood in lines stretching around the funeral home for a chance to pay their respects. "We've got so much hatred in the world right now," one mourner, Sherri Parent, said, dabbing at tears. "People used to have respect for law officers."
9.
Brazil arrested 10 members of an Islamist militant group on Thursday for allegedly discussing possible terrorist attacks during the Rio Summer Olympics, which start in two weeks. Federal Police officials said the suspects belonged to a group called the Defenders of Sharia, and had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes said the suspects were "complete amateurs" who probably could not have carried out their plans. Brazil stepped up security efforts after last week's truck massacre in Nice, France.
10.
The NBA announced Thursday that it is moving the 2017 All-Star game from Charlotte in the latest backlash over a state law barring local governments from enacting anti-discrimination ordinances. The state's Republican-led legislature passed the law, House Bill 2, to block a Charlotte move to let people use public bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity. The NBA said it could not respect "the values for which we stand" in a city affected by "the climate created by HB2." Gov. Pat McCrory said liberal "elites" were misrepresenting a law meant to protect children.