Good morning, and happy Wednesday. Here are some of the stories we're following today:
1. Looming water shortage latest concern in Gaza
Israeli airstrikes have damaged water and sewage infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, and humanitarians are worried that the are will be “desperately” short of clean water. “Water is becoming contaminated and sewage is overflowing, bringing a serious risk of disease,” said Jacques de Maio, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Israel and the occupied territories. Meanwhile, airstrikes continued Wednesday, bringing the Palestinian death toll to more than 200. One Israeli was killed Tuesday — the first since fighting erupted July 8. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to arrive in Cairo on Wednesday to meet with Egypt’s president about reigniting truce talks with Israel. Read more in NEWS.
2. Feds deny plans to send undocumented kids to camp
Protesters gathered at a camp Tuesday outside of Tucson, Arizona, to demonstrate against plans to temporarily house dozens of undocumented children there. But despite local law enforcement saying the children would be coming, federal officials denied that they were scheduled to arrive Tuesday. The camp in Oracle has become the latest flashpoint in the immigration debate along the U.S. border. Read more in NEWS.
Activist and journalist Jose Antonio Vargas — who has lived openly as an undocumented immigrant — was temporarily detained Tuesday trying to board a plane from Texas to Los Angeles. He is one of the more vocal supporters of immigration reform.
3. Wife of hot-car dad lashes out at media
Leanna Harris’ attorney released a statement Tuesday condemning the media for fostering a “poisonous atmosphere” against her husband, who is accused of murdering their 22-month-old son by leaving him in a hot car last month. Harris, the statement said, is living in a “nightmare.” “Newspapers, television and online media have fostered a poisonous atmosphere in which Leanna’s every word, action and emotion ... is scrutinized for some supposed hidden meaning,” the statement continued. Leanna Harris has not been charged with a crime and her husband has been jailed without bond. Read more in NEWS.
4. Typhoon cuts deadly path across Philippines
At least 10 people have died in the strongest typhoon to strike the country this season. Sustained winds were at 125 mph, bringing down trees, cutting off power and flooding streets in the capital of Manila. While Typhoon Rammasun began moving out of the country Wednesday on its way to the South China Sea, officials warned of dangerous storm surges.
5. Hillary Clinton gives no hints to 2016 run
The former secretary of state laughed it up on “The Daily Show” on Tuesday, but didn’t take the bait when host Jon Stewart asked about whether she’s eyeing the White House in a couple of years. Clinton said speculation swirling around her possible candidacy has become “a cottage industry.” But her time spent shilling her latest memoir hasn’t been without its missteps. Clinton caught flak for saying her family was “dead broke” after her husband left the presidency, even though their potential earnings are in the millions. Read more in POLITICS.
6. Donald Sterling could still own Clippers next season
As Donald Sterling and wife Shelly duke it out in court over selling the basketball team, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver admitted Tuesday that the embattled billionaire could still be its owner. “It’s very difficult to say anything with certainty in a situation like this,” Sterling said after the Board of Governors’ meeting. “I can say with certainty we are doing everything in our power to move Donald out as an owner in the NBA.” Sterling, who was banned by the NBA for life for making racist remarks, is challenging his wife’s planned sale of the Clippers for $2 billion in court. A judge recently delayed the next hearing until July 21, and closing arguments are scheduled for July 28. Read more at NBC SPORTS.
7. Derek Jeter gets All-Star send-off in final season
The Yankees captain got a big cheer from the crowd at Target Field in Minneapolis on Tuesday as he helped the American League win 5-3 over the National League during the Midsummer Classic. The sellout crowd got on its feet for the baseball star, who is finishing his 20th season in the majors. “It was a wonderful moment that I’m always going to remember,” he later said. Read more at NBC SPORTS.
But it was the name Michael Jeter that was trending on Twitter after CBS News tweeted his name incorrectly. “Michael Jeter takes bow at his final All-Star game,” the tweet said before it was quickly deleted.
… What’s trending today?
She was a flower girl without a wedding. A 4-year-old in New York City, who had the dream of being in a wedding, held up a lime-green sign at the City Clerk’s office trying to solicit her flower girl services. But her desire to find a willing couple was harder than she thought.