Good morning, and happy Monday. Here are some of the stories we're following today:
1. Late strike crowns Germany at World Cup
One hundred and thirteen entertaining, but scoreless, minutes passed before Germany's Mario Gotze scored in extra time to finish off the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The 1-0 victory over Argentina gives Germany its fourth World Cup crown, the first since 1990. Argentina, two-time champion, has also finished as runner-up three times. Read more in SPORTS.
2. Operation to re-float Costa Concordia begins
More than two years after the cruise ship sunk off the coast of the Italian resort island Giglio, Costa Concordia will float again for one last time. The ship has been rotting under the sea since January 2012, and experts say the hull could crack open, leading to a spillage of refuse. But if all goes as planned, the Costa Concordia will reach a Genoa scrapyard within the week. Read more in NEWS.
3. Lebanon fires more rockets at Israel
The Israel Defense Forces said it immediately responded with artillery fire towards the source of rocket fire from neighboring Lebanon on Monday. The Palestinian group Hamas denied previous rocket launches from Israel's neighboring to the north. The rocket launches come as Israel is engaged in a week-long offensive in Gaza that reportedly has killed at least 172 Palestinians. Read more in NEWS.
4. What will happen to undocumented immigrant children?
The undocumented children that filtered through a court in New York last week weren't deported but rather told to find a lawyer and return back in February. The Obama administration estimates as many as 90,000 unaccompanied minors could be apprehended by the end of the fiscal year in September, and insists most of them will be sent home. But the administration also has conceded that less than 2,000 child migrants are deported every year. Read more in NEWS.
5. Oscar Pistorius starts tweeting again
The "Blade Runner" tweeted for the first time since he tweeted some thoughts on February 14, the anniversary of the day he killed his girlfriend. Five months silence was broken with three tweets within a few hours, including a collage of Pistorius with children and Bible verses. The defense rested on Tuesday in the the murder trial against Pistorius, and closing arguments will begin on August 7. Read more in NEWS.
6. Disney World’s monorail halted by possible lightning strike
It's not supposed to be a thrill-ride, but Disney's monorail came with some extra excitement on Sunday night when it was stopped by a possible lightning strike. The train was evacuated over the course of 90 minutes and no one was injured. The scare came after a weekend of two separate deadly lightning strikes in the Rocky Mountains. Read more in NEWS.
7. If shark populations are on the rise, will attacks increase?
The shark population is up, but the Jaws music might not have to be cued. Sharks play an important role in the ocean, and evidence does not support that more sharks equals more attacks. What does lead to more shark attacks is human behavior like swimming in the same area you've cleaned fish, or wearing bright clothes in the water. Read more in #SHARKWATCH.
... What's trending today?
Some riders at the Tour de France were a little peeved about spectators taking selfies, but not once of the riders has been busted for using his cell phone while he rides. Italy's Luca Paolini was called out by a sports photographer for the deed. Texting and riding is arguably just as dangerous as texting and driving, at 40 mph.