Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Monday, June 29, 2020:

COVID-19: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: The number of worldwide coronavirus cases has passed 10 million, with 500,000 confirmed deaths. More than a quarter of those deaths have been in the U.S. as the country struggles to contain a growing outbreak across the South and West. Vice President Pence, visiting a Dallas megachurch, urged people to cover their faces in public. TEXAS TRIB

RUSSIA-TALIBAN BOUNTY PLOT: The New York Times published a bombshell report late Friday, citing unnamed intelligence sources, alleging that Russian intelligence officers offered cash bounties to Taliban fighters for killing U.S. troops in Afghanistan. President Trump was reportedly briefed on the issue in March, but did not take any action (he has denied being briefed). U.S. special ops forces are said to have alerted their superiors about the plot as early as January, when they discovered a stockpile of American cash in a Taliban outpost, and interrogations of militants led them to the Russians' involvement. Moscow has denied the accusations. NY TIMES

GUN VIOLENCE SPIKE: New York City is experiencing its most violent June in nearly 25 years as shootings have soared over the last several weeks. At least 18 people were shot in less than 24 hours over the weekend. The NYPD says a total of 70 people were shot in the last week, compared to 26 the same time last year. The mayor has denied that the spate of violence is a result of the police pulling back enforcement after the protest backlash. WABC

RACIAL RECKONING: Lawmakers in Mississippi voted to replace the state’s flag, the only one left that features an overt Confederate battle emblem. The state’s Republican governor has said he will sign the bill, and a new flag will be voted on in November. Separately, Princeton University is removing Woodrow Wilson’s name from its public policy school and a residential college, years after students demanded the name change because of the 28th U.S. president’s “racist thinking.” CSM

MISSING MONEY: Chase Bank said a “technical issue” was responsible for customers waking up Sunday morning to see hundreds or thousands of dollars missing from their checking accounts. The largest retail bank in the U.S. says the issue should now be resolved. WPIX

FACEBOOK AD BOYCOTT: Starbucks is the latest major advertiser to join the Facebook ad boycott, following a steady stream of big companies deciding to pause their social media spending. Unilever, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, three of the biggest advertisers in the world, also joined the #StopHateforProfit campaign over the weekend. Mark Zuckerberg has personally lost $7 billion since the boycott started. BLOOMBERG

CAM JOINS PATS: NFL quarterback Cam Newton, who’s been without a team since March, has reportedly signed a one-year contract to join the New England Patriots. Newton will replace Tom Brady at QB; the move immediately puts the Pats back into playoff contention. The signing was reported just as the league fined New England another $1 million and took away a draft pick in the latest cheating scandal. ESPN

SUMMER MOVIE SEASON IMPLODING: Days after Warner Bros. delayed -- for the third time -- the release of Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, Disney announced it would once again postpone the release of Mulan in theaters, also for the third time, raising questions about whether Hollywood will be able to salvage any of the summer movie season. Tenet is now set for Aug. 12 and Mulan will hit the big screen on Aug. 21 -- for now at least. VARIETY

BEYONCÉ NEW MUSIC: Beyoncé will release a new visual album, dubbed Black Is King, on Disney+ on July 31. The film is based on the music from Beyoncé’s Lion King: The Gift album released last summer in conjunction with the Disney movie. WATCH THE TRAILER

LEFTOVERS: STARBUCKS KAREN: Supporters have raised $65,000 for a San Diego Starbucks barista after a woman posted a video on Facebook of him refusing her service because she wouldn’t wear a mask. In the video, Lenin Gutierrez calmly explains to the woman, Amber Lynn Gilles, the company’s mask policy as she calls people “sheep” and says she’ll complain to Starbucks corporate offices. CBS NEWS

Listen to the N2K Podcast! Looking for more context and analysis on the big stories of the day? Check out our podcast! Hosts Jill and Carlo break down the headlines, every weekday morning Listen on Apple or Spotify, or watch on YouTube, and send us your feedback!

Share:
More In Culture
Load More