Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Amy Held.
President Trump says the U.S. military has killed the alleged leader of a Venezuelan
“gang involved in drug smuggling and human trafficking.”
John Otis reports. Trump announced on social media that the U.S. Southern Command had carried out a "swift and kinetic strike" that executed Hector Rusthan Ford Guerrero Flores, also known as "Niniel Guerrero." He was the leader of "Trender Agua," a Venezuelan gang that branched out to become a multinational crime organization by recruiting Venezuelan migrants.
"Trender Agua" eventually expanded to the United States, where it carried out a wave of robberies and is suspected in the shooting of two New York police officers. The President's social media post included a video showing a projectile destroying a building, though it was unclear where the attack took place. For MPR News, I'm John Otis.
"A last minute plea by the Trump administration failed Friday, and a court has cleared the way for crews to remove the name Donald J. Trump from the Kennedy Center building in Washington, D.C. It's the most visible setback to Trump's year-plus effort to take over the Performing Arts Center, Congresswoman, Joyce Beaty, Democrat from Ohio, spoke Friday from the site. "The Kennedy Center of this year is doing fine before Donald Trump, and it will be here
in doing fine after the time."
“Beaty filed the lawsuit arguing that renaming the building was illegal because only an”
act of Congress can change it. At Trump's P.S., the ultimate fighting championship will bring mixed martial arts matches to the White House long Sunday. But the weather may prove to be the strongest opponent with possible thunderstorms threatening the $60 million event.
A federal judge ruled Friday the event could proceed, and advocacy group had sued arguing the 92-foot tall 600-ton steel structure called the "Claw" caused aesthetic harm on White House grounds. The event coincides with Flag Day, America's 250th Anniversary Celebration, and Trump's 80th birthday.
In West Texas, police say a suspected gunman is dead after being on the run for several days, wanted for shooting 11 people, killing one of them. The man-hunt ended in a stand-off with officers, from the Texas newsroom. Lucie Ovasquez has more. Authorities say the shooting began around eight in the morning, they say the incident
“then unfolded across the West Texas city of Midland until ending miles away in a stand-off”
with SWAT. Here's Midland Mayor Lori Blong. Our thoughts and prayers are absolutely with the victims and with their families, with our first responders, with all the medical staff that are responding this morning. Authorities are investigating what may have motivated the shooting and whether the victims
were targeted. For MPR News, I'm Lucie Ovasquez and Houston. It's NPR News.
The Justice Department has closed its investigation into a proposed 111 billion dollar
merger, green lighting paramount to combine with Warner Bros. Also putting HBO, CBS, and CNN all under one roof. Several states have raised anti-trust concerns, but the GOJ says it found no threat to competition or to consumers. Israeli and Palestinian activists have teamed up in Paris to push for peace through a two-state
solution, and Piers Eleanor Beardsley reports from Paris. "You said to be far, could we face it, or to French foreign ministers, John O'Rebeau, open the conference, which was also attended by dozens of foreign ministers. John Lyndon is executive director of the Alliance for Middle East Peace. He says that the more than 150 Palestinian and Israeli activists here remain determined."
"They're clear right about the challenges, the wave of dehumanization, the support for violence, this kind of tidal wave of extremism is in the societies, and there's a bravery and a determination." Lyndon says before, these peacemakers might have been afraid to gather together because of threats when they return home.
"No one has time for that now. This is existential." As one Israeli soldier turned peace activist put it, "A conflict you pass on to your children is not a conflict you have won, Eleanor Beardsley and Pierre News Paris." The US beat Paraguay for to won in their opening match Friday, matching its biggest margin
of victory in World Cup history. Team England meantime seems to be missing some equipment. Police in Kansas City, Missouri, are investigating a theft from a vehicle, including balls and shoes. The British players were training there.
They face Croatia, Wednesday, in Texas. You're listening to NPR News. This is our glass. On this American life, when they mean like, "It's a good mystery." Sometimes about really big things, but most times, the little mysteries are the best.
Our lost and found is currently filled with hands.
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This is true. This is true. Mysteries of every size each week, this American life, wherever you get your podcasts.
