World News: 'No elected official is above the law'

Tuesday, August 3

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo denies sexually harassing women, disputing an investigation by the state attorney general.

Probe finds Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women. And hundreds of flights were canceled for the third day in a row. It's Tuesday's news.

Calls mount for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation after the state's attorney general released a report of sexual harassment. Simone Biles made a triumphant return to the Tokyo Olympics. And for the third day in a row, hundreds of flights were canceled.

👋 It's Laura. It's Tuesday. Here's a whole bunch of news, just for you.

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Report: 11 women sexually harassed

President Joe Biden called for the resignation of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday after a damning report from the state attorney general's office that alleged Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, including state employees, in violation of state and federal laws. According to a Attorney General Letitia James' office, Cuomo sexually harassed women on his staff or in his circle in Albany, touching, grabbing or making inappropriate comments toward them and retaliating against at least one when she came forward with her story. The 136-page report provided corroborated accounts of harassment by the governor that included groping, kissing and hugging. Responding to the report in a 14-minute address, Cuomo remained defiant, making clear he plans to stay in office and denying the claims. "No elected official is above the law," New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand said Tuesday in a statement, renewing calls for Cuomo to resign. "The people of New York deserve better leadership."

•	What AG report says: Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women.
•	No one is saying it's rape. They're saying the accusations against Cuomo matter.
•	Opinion: Gov. Cuomo must resign after AG report.
•	Cuomo addressed sexual harassment allegations by showing photos of himself kissing people.
•	Chris Cuomo was interviewed during investigation of his brother. Here's why.

A bronze as good as gold

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This wasn't for a medal or any specific score at the Tokyo Olympics. It wasn't about trying to prove anyone right – or wrong – or deliver on other people's sky-high expectations. It wasn't to please sponsors or NBC or the International Olympic Committee or anybody else. For the first time in a long while, Simone Biles gave herself permission to do gymnastics for the same reason she started the sport those many years ago: because she wanted to. A week after withdrawing from the team competition with a case of "the twisties" that put her mental and physical health in danger, Biles returned Tuesday for the last event final, balance beam. Just as she did four years ago, she left with a bronze medal. This one, however, was so much sweeter and, unlike the one from Rio, won't ever be overlooked. With so much of it out of her control, for one night, at least, she was able to do what she wanted – and do it for herself.

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•	Simone Biles wins bronze medal on balance beam in return to action.
•	'We're human, too': Simone Biles' most powerful statements about mental health.

Simone Biles of Team USA competes in the women's balance beam final on Aug. 3 at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

What everyone's talking about

•	😳 Chipmunks with plague prompt closures along South Lake Tahoe shore.
•	'Little bundle of joy': Chris Evans is back in Lizzo's DMs, and he's got jokes.
•	Toxic invasive poison hemlock is spreading into US parks and backyard gardens.
•	After 35 years in solitary confinement, Michigan prisoner seeks release.

Biden announces new eviction ban efforts

President Joe Biden's administration is planning to issue a targeted moratorium on evictions in areas hardest hit by COVID-19, replacing a nationwide evictions freeze that expired Saturday. The new action, which is expected to last 60 days, will ban evictions in counties with high rates of COVID-19 transmission, reflecting where the CDC recommends vaccinated resident masks indoors and in public settings. Biden said Tuesday that pending litigation will "probably give some additional time" for rental assistance funds to flow. The president said his hope is the new targeted action would in some way cover close to 90% of Americans who are renters.

•	Mask mandates by state: As COVID-19 cases spike, see what the rules are where you live.
•	QR code menus, touchless curbside pickup and online waitlists: Which restaurant innovations are here to stay?
•	Could delta variant surge lead to another round of stimulus checks?

Registered nurse Anna Yadgaro, not pictured, hands Geidy Chirinos a vaccination card after inoculating her with the second dose of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine at the Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center in New York.

Mary Altaffer, AP Images

Big time travel trouble

On the third day in a row of major travel trouble, American Airlines and Spirit Airlines canceled nearly 600 flights Tuesday, leaving travelers stranded. American, which is struggling to recover from weekend storms at its mammoth Dallas hub, canceled 284 Tuesday flights, or 9% percent of its schedule, according to flight tracker FlightAware. The airline canceled 563 Monday flights and nearly 300 Sunday flights. Flight delays have been sizable, too. Spirit canceled 298 flights, a staggering 43% of its Tuesday flights. That's on top of canceling 42% of its Monday flights because of weather and what it called a series of operational challenges.

Hundreds of Spirit Airlines cancellations strand travelers.

Provided by MARK ECKART

Real quick

•	Donald Trump's political strength tested in Ohio GOP primary election.
•	Officer dead, others injured in violence outside Pentagon.
•	Massive brawl at practice leaves New York Giants' coach Joe Judge screaming mad.
•	Strong winds threaten to whip up 'biggest ever' wildfire on Hawaii's Big Island.
•	Born to jump: The story of Don Juan van de Donkhoeve, Jessica Springsteen's equestrian horse.

2 more officers who responded to Jan. 6 riot have died by suicide

Two District of Columbia police officers who responded to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 died by suicide last month, bringing the total number of officers who have taken their lives after the riot to four. Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Kristen Metzger told CNN on Monday that officer Gunther Hashida, an 18-year veteran on the force, was found dead at his residence Thursday. Hours later, the department confirmed Kyle DeFreytag, 26, who had responded to the riots at the U.S. Capitol, died by suicide in mid-July. The officers fought a violent mob of supporters of President Donald Trump angry about the results of the election Trump lost. Officer Howie Liebengood, a 17-year veteran of the U.S. Capitol Police, and officer Jeffrey Smith, a 12-year veteran of the MPD, died by suicide days after the Capitol was invaded.

•	Senate unanimously votes to award Capitol, Metro police congressional gold medals.

Riot police push back a crowd of Trump supporters storming the Capitol on Jan. 6 in Washington.

ROBERTO SCHMIDT, AFP via Getty Images

A break from the news

•	🌻 These gorgeous gardens will make you feel like you're in a faraway land.
•	🎒 Where to get popular back-to-school supplies before they sell out.
•	🏡 Multiple offers for your home? Here's how to decide which one to accept.

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