Newsletter Archive

Although much is unclear as we send this newsletter, it appears the Turkish military—or members of the Turkish military—attempted to stage a coup late Friday.  The army put out a statement saying it had “fully seized control” to protect democracy and maintain human rights. Turkish Prime Minister President Recep Erdogan’s whereabouts are unknown, but he spoke to CNN’s Turkish channel, urging citizens to stand up to the military.  Please visit VOANews.com for the latest updates.

French anti-terrorism investigators sifting through the carnage of the Bastille Day attack in Nice are hoping to learn more about the man who steered a truck down a street packed with people, killing more than 80 of them.  The now routine condemnations and declarations of solidarity against terror poured in from world leaders, and impromptu memorials are springing up in France and around the world.

Due to the attack in France, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump postponed the event at which he planned to introduce Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate, but he did end speculation by tweeting out his selection.  Trump and Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton both declared the U.S. is at war with radical jihadists.

The Islamic State terror group continues to lose ground in Iraq and Syria, but U.S. experts warn that even when every inch of territory held by IS is recaptured, a “terrorist diaspora” will likely pose a continued security threat.  Plus, radicalized disciples who never travel to join the group and instead plot attacks in their home country are a growing danger.

Boris Johnson once compared the EU to Hitler’s Third Reich and said President Obama opposed Brexit because his Kenya heritage gave him an “ancestral dislike of the British Empire.”  Now he’s Britain’s top diplomat.  Some of those Johnson will work closely with at his new job signaled they’ll let bygones be bygones.  Others weren’t so conciliatory.

Police and other officials in Cleveland, where the Republican party kicks off its presidential convention Monday, are making last-minute adjustments to security plans in the wake of last week’s Dallas shootings.  The GOP rules committee thwarted a last-ditch attempt by Trump opponents to allow delegates to vote for a candidate other than the one who won the state primaries and caucuses.  On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton visited Capitol Hill to rally support behind her candidacy.

Is China moving to end the “one country, two systems” policy that allows Hong Kong a great deal of autonomy?  That’s the fear of some, who see the recent crackdown on booksellers there as evidence that Beijing doesn’t plan to honor the agreement that granted the former British colony a degree of independence until at least 2047.

Having trouble fitting into your jeans, despite strict adherence to the latest fad diet?  The problem might be your genes.  Researchers found that genetics plays a big role in determining whether a particular diet will work as well for some people as it does for others.  They say in the future, doctors might be able to provide customized diet plans based on a genetic test.