Good morning. Here are some of the stories we’re following on this Monday:
1. Don’t drink the water
The water still isn’t safe in Toledo, Ohio. Almost half a million people were asked to avoid drinking it for a third day Monday after an algae bloom upstream caused above-normal readings of microcystin, which can cause liver problems, diarrhea and vomiting. More tests are due Monday. The National Guard is providing tens of thousands of gallons of clean water. Read more in NEWS.
2. Palestinians say Israel breaks own cease-fire
Palestinians say Israel has already broken a seven-hour humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip by bombing a house in Gaza City. The truce, scheduled for 3 to 10 a.m. ET, was supposed to apply everywhere but Rafah. On Sunday, the United States and United Nations called on Israel to do more to avoid civilian casualties after an airstrike near a U.N. school killed 10 people. Read more in NEWS.
3. American Ebola patient improving
A Christian aid group says Dr. Kent Brantly, one of the two Americans who were infected with Ebola in Liberia, got a dose of an experimental serum before he was flown to the United States for treatment. Brantly is said to be improving at an Atlanta hospital, and the second American, Nancy Writebol, is due to be flown to the United States as early today. Read more in NEWS.
4. California ablaze
A pair of wildfires burning out of control in California have forced the evacuation of homes and a hospital. The fires are among 14 burning in the state, where Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency. Lightning, high temperatures and a severe drought have raised the fire danger in California to levels that authorities say they usually don’t see until September. Read more in NEWS.
5. Ex-governor’s trial resumes in Virginia
The corruption trial of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, resumes Monday. Defense lawyers are challenging the credibility of the star prosecution witness, a businessman accused of providing the McDonnells $165,000 in gifts and loans in exchange for help promoting his compnay’s products. Already, the case could pass for Season 3 of “House of Cards.” Read more in POLITICS.
6. Comet probe nears destination after long journey
After 10 years and 4 billion miles, a European space probe is almost at its destination — a comet where it will enter orbit and drop a lander to study the surface. The target is a comet called 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, which takes more than six years to circle the sun and goes beyond Jupiter at its furthest point. Scientists hope the probe will help them understand the evolution of the solar system. Read more in SCIENCE.
… What’s trending today?
It’s the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I. Germany invaded Belgium on Aug. 4, 1914, on its way to a planned attack on France. Princes William and Harry are joining dignitaries from France, Germany and Belgium at a remembrance in Liege.