5 things you need to know Monday
All eyes are on Cleveland for the 2016 Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention gets underway in Cleveland on Monday, with Donald Trump as its star. A speech by Melania Trump kicks off opening night, which may also include an appearance from her husband. Overall, viewership for the national political conventions dropped 26% after 1968, according to Nielsen ratings, but with Trump as the presumptive Republican nominee, the unpredictable will return to the convention floor. Trump brought record numbers of viewers to the GOP primary debates, and it's likely he'll have a similar effect on interest in the convention. Meanwhile, alarmed by the succession of deadly police shootings, the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association is asking the governor to suspend state law allowing the open carry of firearms for the duration of the convention.
Police expected to reveal more details in Baton Rouge police shooting
A news conference will be held on Monday at 2:00 p.m. EDTon the police shooting in Baton Rouge Sunday that left three police officers dead and another three injured. The shooting came less than two weeks after Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, was killed by police in an incident that sparked protests and racial tension nationwide. The gunman, identified by a law enforcement official as 29-year-old Gavin Long, was killed at the scene. No motivation for the shootings has been revealed. Gov. John Bel Edwards suggested the attack may have involved more than one assailant, but the law enforcement official, who is not authorized to comment publicly, said authorities believe that Long acted alone, despite initial reports suggesting otherwise. Here's what we know about the victims.
Doping report may damage Russia's chances at Rio
Russia's participation in the Rio Olympics may be riding on the results of a sports-doping investigation due Monday. The investigation was sparked by a New York Times story accusing the Russian government of helping to manipulate drug tests at the 2014 Sochi Games to ensure cheaters wouldn't get caught. If the report details widespread, state-sponsored doping, anti-doping leaders in the U.S., Canada and other nations say they will call for the International Olympic Committee to ban Russia from competing in Rio. The U.S.-backed position was outlined in a letter last week. The games are set to start Aug. 5.
Where the stars from 'Aliens' are 30 years later
It was 30 years ago that the sci-fi classic Aliens got us all creeped out. In the film, a sequel to 1979’s Alien and directed by James Cameron, Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley returns to dreaded moon LV-426 to investigate whether the planet still has life on it. Cameron delivered a film that captured all of our darkest fears about space: What's out there? Do we even want to know? What if we got lost? How would we even get back? USA TODAY revisits the film and takes a look at where the actors are 30 years later.
U.K. Parliament to vote on nuclear weapons
Lawmakers are due to vote on whether to replace the U.K.'s fleet of nuclear-armed submarines on Monday, a powerful but expensive symbol of the country’s military status. The Conservative government is determined to maintain Britain’s nuclear deterrent, which consists of four Royal Navy submarines armed with Trident missiles. New British Prime Minister Theresa May says it would be reckless to abandon the country’s “ultimate safeguard,” but opposition parties are strongly against the program.
And the essentials:
Stocks: Global markets were mixed Monday.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Major Crimes and Think You Can Dance.
Be inspired: Bike builder delivers joy to cyclist with ALS
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Contributing: The Associated Press
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