Wake-Up Call: Drone Strikes Takes Out top Al-Qaida Leader

The leader of the al-Qaeda terrorist group has been killed by a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan. The death of Ayman al-Zawahiri is said to be the biggest strike against the terrorist group since the death of his predecessor, Osama bin Laden, in 2011. The mission was reportedly carried out by the CIA, but agency officials declined to comment on the matter. 

“He carved a trail of murder and violence against American citizens, American service members, American diplomats, and American interests," President Joe Biden said in brief remarks from the White House. "Now, justice has been delivered. And this terrorist leader is no more."

BREAKING: Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Afghanistan, President Biden says. https://t.co/mGuvS70cHd pic.twitter.com/LPwGjCiwju

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 1, 2022

➤HUNDREDS MISSING IN KENTUCKY FLOODS: At least 37 people are confirmed dead and hundreds more have not been located as residents of several eastern Kentucky counties continue to struggle against catastrophic flooding. State, local, and federal relief workers are on the scene to help people clean up, but the rains have not let up.

➤CAPITOL RIOTER GETS 7-YEAR SENTENCE: A Texas man has been given a prison sentence in excess of seven years for his role in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. Guy Reffitt wore a camera that recorded his own violent rhetoric during the Trump rally that preceded the riot, and then went to the Capitol armed with a gun. In court yesterday, Reffitt described himself as an “effing idiot.”

'LIZ' MISÉRABLES: They also expressed outrage over the congresswoman's role on the Jan. 6 committee. https://t.co/SrijCvrekW pic.twitter.com/0ejcirSLYn

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 2, 2022

➤CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE ‘0%’ CONTAINED: The wildfire in northern California’s Klamath National Forest was 0 percent contained late yesterday despite the efforts of some 650 firefighters. Two bodies were recovered from a car parked in a driveway at the edge of the park. More than 2,000 residents have been urged to evacuate.

➤SENATORS RETHINK VETERANS’ HEALTH BILL: Some Republican U.S. senators who blocked a veterans health measure last week are rethinking that move. Veterans’ advocates including comedian Jon Stewart lambasted the senators who prevented a vote on the measure, which expands health coverage for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances while serving. The measure is expected to pass this week.

The protest has put Senate Republicans on the defensive as they’ve struggled to explain why they're holding up legislation that would provide much-needed health care for millions of veterans exposed to burn pit smoke, Agent Orange and radiation. https://t.co/idbjww9BGY

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 1, 2022

 
➤DENTIST GUILTY OF MURDERING WIFE ON SAFARI: A Pittsburgh dentist has been found guilty of murdering his wife while they were on safari in Zambia in 2016. Lawrence Rudolph said his wife, Bianca, shot herself by accident. Then he cashed in $5 million worth of insurance he had taken out on her. His girlfriend was convicted of being an accessory.

A wealthy dentist accused of fatally shooting his wife at the end of an African safari was found guilty of murder and mail fraud on Monday. https://t.co/GUflgRXhhm

— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 2, 2022

🐟COLORADO FISHERMAN RAISES THE BAR: A fisherman has set a new record for the biggest brook trout ever caught in Colorado. Tim Daniel, of Granby, caught the 7.84-pound whopper in Monarch Lake, shattering a record set in 1947. He wasn’t exaggerating, either. Colorado Parks and Wildlife sent an aquatic biologist to measure that sucker, according to Fox News.

🍌THIS SNACK SLASHES YOUR RISK OF HEART ATTACK: Want to lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke by 13%? Eat a banana.  A study published in the European Heart Journal followed 25,000 participants for 20 years. Their diets, blood pressure, and urine samples were analyzed. Adults who ate potassium-rich foods saw a 13% drop in their risk for adverse heart events. Other foods that contain potassium include avocados and salmon. One theory is that potassium helps to cancel out the impact of sodium intake.

🏈DESHAUN WATSON GETS 6-GAME SUSPENSION: Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will be suspended without pay for six games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. No fine was imposed in the ruling issued yesterday by disciplinary officer Sue Robinson. In a written statement, Robinson noted that the alleged behavior “does not fall into the category of violent conduct.” Watson has been accused of sexual assault by 25 women.

⚾LOTS OF SWAPS IN MLB: The New York Yankees have acquired starter Frankie Montas and closer Lou Trivino in a deal with the Oakland Athletics. The Athletics will get Ken Waldichuk, J.P. Sears, Luis Medina and Cooper Bowman in return. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros acquired first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini from the Baltimore Orioles and catcher Christian Vazquez from the Boston Red Sox, according to an ESPN report. The Red Sox also are said to be finalizing a deal to acquire outfielder Tommy Pham from the Cincinnati Reds. And there’s more: the Milwaukee Brewers are trading their All-Star closer Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres. Expect more swaps before today’s trade deadline of 6 PM Eastern time.

⚾MASSIVE PAYDAY FOR AUSTIN RILEY: The Atlanta Braves have signed star third baseman Austin Riley to a 10-year, $212 million contract. It even includes a $20 million option for Riley’s services in the year 2032.

🏌PGA SWEETENS THE POT: The PGA Tour is facing competition from the new Saudi-backed LIV Golf, and in response it’s increasing the amount of money it pays out to tournament winners. Winners of the 44 tournaments in the 2022-2023 season will receive a total $428.6 million, with another $61.5 million to be paid out at the Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship. Overall, that’s an increase of more than $63 million on the latest season.

🏈COWBOYS’ WASHINGTON SIDELINED: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver James Washington will be out of action for the next six to ten weeks, according to a number of sources. He is scheduled to undergo surgery today in Dallas to repair a fractured right foot. The injury was sustained in training camp.