Police: Heroic Safeway employee confronted gunman in store
Authorities in Bend, Oregon, say an employee who died in a shooting at a Safeway supermarket attacked the gunman in the produce section and tried to disarm him, likely preventing more deaths. The 66-year-old employee, identified as Donald Ray Surrett Jr., was hailed as a hero by police in the city about 160 miles southeast of Portland. Surrett and a customer, 84-year-old Glenn Edward Bennett, were killed Sunday evening and two others were injured. Police say the shooter shot himself moments later and was found dead “in close proximity” to an AR-15-style weapon and a shotgun.
Trump request for special master could open door for delays
Facing a criminal investigation into the failure to return government documents — which the National Archives had repeatedly asked him for since May 2021, and the Justice Department had subpoenaed this past May — former President Donald Trump is putting forward a potential source of delay. He has asked a judge to appoint an outside arbiter, known as a special master, to sift through all the records the FBI seized in its Aug. 8 search of his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and identify any deemed potentially covered by executive privilege. Those showing confidential deliberations with aides about his official actions would then be kept from the FBI.
Georgia governor must testify in Trump inquiry
A judge ruled Monday that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp must appear before a special grand jury investigating election interference by former President Donald Trump but will not be compelled to do so until after the Nov. 8 election. Kemp, who is running for a second term this year, is one of a number of high-profile Republicans who have been fighting subpoenas that call upon them to testify in the sprawling case. But unlike many of those other Republicans, Kemp does not appear to have been involved in efforts after the November 2020 election to overturn Trump’s election loss in Georgia.
Clashes erupt after Iraqi Shiite cleric resigns, 15 dead
An influential Shiite cleric announced that he will resign from Iraqi politics, and hundreds of his angry followers responded by storming the government palace. The move sparked violent clashes with security forces in which at least 15 protesters were killed. Medical officials said dozens of protesters were wounded by gunfire more were injured by tear gas and physical altercations with riot police. The protests on Monday followed the announcement by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Iraq’s government has been deadlocked since al-Sadr’s party won the largest share of seats in October parliamentary elections but not enough to secure a majority government.
Low water levels disrupt European river cruises, a favorite of US tourists
One of Europe’s worst droughts in decades has left the water level of parts of the Rhine and the Danube rivers too low for ships to pass, paralyzing commerce and causing disruptions for companies that transport goods and commodities such as oil and coal. The drought has also affected river cruises, forcing passengers in the multibillion-dollar industry to cope with last-minute changes to their itineraries, long bus rides and missed excursions. Cruise Lines International Association, a trade group, said the largest group of passengers come from North America. Nearly 65% of European Union territory is currently under some degree of drought warning.
Tea drinkers enjoy possible health benefits, study suggests
People who drink tea may be a little more likely to live longer than those who don’t. That’s according to a large study of British tea drinkers published Monday in Annals of Internal Medicine. Scientists found two or more cups daily was tied with a modest benefit: a 9% to 13% lower risk of death from any cause. Adding milk or sugar didn’t change the results. Past studies in China and Japan, where green tea is popular, suggested health benefits. The new study extends the good news to the U.K.’s favorite drink: black tea.A study like this is based on observing people’s habits and health. It can’t prove cause and effect.