There’s no hope for Greenland's melting ice sheet
Greenland's ice sheet has melted to a point of no return. Two arrests were made in the unsolved murder of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay. And Democrats are getting hyped for the first night of the Democratic National Convention.
It's Ashley with the news to know.
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Greenland's ice sheet is in trouble
Greenland's ice sheet has melted to a point of no return, scientists say. Glaciers on the island have shrunk so much that even if global warming were to stop today, the ice sheet would continue shrinking, a new study suggests. This "tipping point" means the snowfall that replenishes the ice sheet each year cannot keep up with the ice that is flowing into the ocean from melting glaciers. This is a big problem for Earth: Greenland's ice sheet dumps more than 280 billion metric tons of melting ice into the ocean each year, making it the greatest single contributor to global sea level rise.
- Climate change may push polar bears to the brink of extinction within 100 years.
The Democratic National Convention is here
The Democratic National Convention begins tonight, and unlike previous years when thousands of Democrats descended on a city, the four-day convention will be conducted virtually from across the country. For presumptive nominee Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris, the DNC is still the biggest opportunity before Election Day to introduce themselves, bash the other side and outline a governing agenda. Monday, Democrats plan to show support from opposite ends of the political spectrum in speeches from former first lady Michelle Obama, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a 2016 Republican candidate for president who has been critical of Trump. DNC speeches are set to be broadcast from 9 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
In the Republican corner of the ring, President Donald Trump began his weeklong counter to the DNC on Monday in the Midwestern battleground states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. In Minneapolis, Trump accused Democrats of pushing "a left-wing war on cops" and suggested their sympathies lie with "lawbreakers and criminals."
- Without balloon drops, what's a convention for? Three things Joe Biden needs to do at his.
- Top Latino activists and politicians criticize the lack of representation during the Democratic National Convention.
What everyone’s talking about
- UNC-Chapel Hill canceled in-person courses after one week. It's the first major college to change plans after COVID-19 outbreaks.
- Heart of the movement: How 12 young activists seed change in their towns.
- A New Zealand boy put a Lego piece up his nose two years ago. He finally found it.
- Census "emergency": Officials are running out of time to count all Americans. Here’s what that could mean.
- A flu shot doesn't always protect you, but amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it's more important than ever.
- The oldest person in the USA celebrated her 115th birthday – or 116th, her family's not quite sure.
Two men indicted in 2002 killing of Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay
Two people were arrested in the 2002 killing of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay, one of New York City's most notorious unsolved killings. The suspects in the nearly two-decade-old murder were identified as Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. in a 10 count indictment unsealed Monday. Jason "Jay" Mizell, known professionally as Jam Master Jay, was a member of 1980s hip-hop sensation Run-DMC, behind such hits as “It's Tricky” and the Aerosmith remake collaboration “Walk This Way.” Jay, 37, was shot once in the head in his Queens recording studio by a masked assailant, police said.
It’s getting hot in here
We just recorded one of the hottest temperatures ever. Death Valley hit a record-breaking 130 degrees over the weekend – the hottest temperature the area has recorded since July 1913. That’s among the hottest temperatures in the world, the World Meteorological Organization says. The scorcher isn’t over yet: A major heat wave will continue across most of the western USA much of this week when "dangerously" hot temperatures are expected, the National Weather Service says. Widespread excessive heat warnings and heat advisories are in effect from the interior Northwest south into the Desert Southwest.
- What is a fire tornado? "Extreme fire activity" sparked a rare weather warning in Nevada.
Real quick
- Coronavirus updates: COVID-19 symptoms often appear in this order.
- Top U.S. Postal Service officials will testify before Congress amid changes that Democrats worry may hinder the November elections.
- Washington hired Jason Wright as the first Black team president in NFL history.
- Kim Kardashian calls for the release of jailed rapper C-Murder, Master P's brother.
- A man was arrested on multiple charges over an alleged plot to kidnap WWE star Sonya Deville.
US approves oil leasing plan for Alaska wildlife refuge
The Trump administration announced plans Monday for an oil leasing program for a 19 million-acre wildlife refuge in Alaska, clearing the way for oil drilling in the area home to polar bears, caribou and other wildlife. The move is a potential first-of-its-kind opening of the pristine wilderness. Environmentalists vowed to fight the leasing plan in court. Alaska’s Republican governor called the decision “a definitive step in the right direction to developing this area’s energy potential,” which he estimated at 4.3 billion to 11.8 billion barrels of oil reserves. Though the government is preparing to auction leases, Trump indicated he has not decided whether to allow actual oil drilling if and when the time comes.
A break from the news
- Smokeless indoor grill, wool dryer balls: The 5 best Amazon deals you can get Monday.
- Looking to buy a face shield? Here's what to know and where to buy them.
- Cotton mask or neck fleece? Check out how effective different kinds of masks are.
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