Live CNN News Coverage, Obama on Supreme Court ruling, German attack at Cinema, Trump vs Clinton Members of the U.S. Supreme Court in September 2009 pose for a group photograph at the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
I cannot quite believe its been 15 years, Walter! I recall that very first year you even wrote about what you were eating for breakfast! Adorable. And now we are simply old people, or at least I am old people and you, Walter, are a faster internet writer than me. To the rest of this merry band, welcome or welcome back! I am so incredibly glad to spend what remains of the 2015 term simultaneously basking in your collective brilliance and trying to game out an end-of-term unlike any I have ever experienced. Compared to the drama of last years Breakfast Table, it still feels to me a bit like this whole term has been dropped in a puddle.
Dawn, I had a similar thought as yours, reading Walters first post: How quickly we have all simply normalized the fact that there are eight justices on the court, and this is the immutable truth, and it will be this way for most of next term, and that everyoneincluding millions of Americans awaiting definitive answers on crucial questionsis simply watching how the court plans to brazen through that challenge without ever breaking a sweat. What a rout for the forces of obstruction and chaos! We arent even really getting a chance to address the important constitutional and structural questions Dawn raises because they were hashed out, and dismissed, in February. The new normal is both outrageous and completely uninteresting. This makes me quite grumpy.
But I dont want to take it for granted that everyone agrees with that assessment. A lot of folks were delighted that the court didnt take the Connecticut gun ban case on Monday, and the more we live with a hog-tied court, the more attractive that reality might become to many of us who feared big losses on both sides of the aisle. I do worry that Americans may become used to a court that does almost nothing, andif things ever return to normalthey may come to resent a court that does anything more. So I guess my question for the rest of you, as we wait for tomorrow to rain down upon us, is whether it even matters that a broken Congress has temporarily kneecapped the Supreme Court? Maybe a term that limps its way to a minimalist, confusing, under-the-radar conclusion is ultimately a fantastic thing for the current political climate. Any takers?
Looking forward to the coming days with you more than I can say.
The Sixers are entering a new phase Thursday evening when they make the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft.
After three years of the teams dismal losing, including a 10-72 record last season, this selection marks the beginning of a turnaround. The decisions they make on draft night will jumpstart the much-needed next chapter of the organization.
Its extremely exciting, head coach Brett Brown said, "the realization that weve navigated through three years of some difficult times and now were in a position to not only choose the first player of the draft, but have the ability to reshape our roster with considered trades, to decide on how we use (picks) 24 and 26, how we continue to grow the style of play, the rules that we have in place as it relates to our version of culture.Stuff that nobody sort of sees on a stat sheet or on the court, all those things that just go into a higher level."
The Sixers are expected to select Ben Simmons at No. 1.The 6-foot-10, 242-pound forward from LSU will become the new face of the franchise. Simmons worked out with the Sixers on Tuesday, just two days before the draft, following a dinner with them last week in Cleveland prior to Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
All along, the No. 1pick was considered to be a two-man race between Simmons and Duke forward Brandon Ingram, who also participated in a private workout with the Sixers. Throughout the draft process, members of the front office have reiterated the importance studying all of their resources and making the right selection.
There is a responsibility along with the obvious opportunity to recalibrate our own program and make a wise decision, Brown said.
Simmons workout was a chance for members of the organization to get an up-close and personal look at him. Brown, however, has been linked to Simmons long before the 19-year-old was a top prospect.
Browns ties to Simmons family go back almost 30 years to his days in Australia. Brown coached his father for five years and knew his mother when she was a cheerleader. He also coached Simmons" brother years later. Simmons grew up just 12 miles away from where Brown lived. Their similarities from Browns 17 years abroad gives the coach a unique, instant relationship with Simmons.
You just cant make this type of stuff up, Brown said of their connections. To speak to him from my perspective is very, very comfortable. Its very comfortable. He knows that should we draft him, he will have people that will help him navigate all this apart from help him grow his game. The landscape of the NBA is difficult, and he will have mentors and people that care for a lot of things way more than just basketball around him should we draft him.
From there, the Sixers have several options at the 24th and 26th picks. They are considering packaging the two selections to move up into the mid-teens. The Sixers already have a young roster and could find other ways to enhance their team besides carrying a pair of late-first-round picks into training camp.
There is also the possibility the Sixers could trade up into the lottery. President of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo said the top eight would be their ideal situation. A trade of this extent would have to involve current players, with both Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor mentioned in rumors.
As the Sixers weigh these options, they are doing so collaboratively. The staff, which was overhauled in April and May, has been meeting to hash out ideas and opinions that stem from various paths of experience. Brown speaks with Colangelo a minimum of five times a day, whether it is seven in the morning or midnight.
His accessibility and availability is 24-7, Brown said of Colangelo. We both sort of tap into each other with that spirit. He knows the passion that I have and I hope the energy that I have creates an environment that we speak often.
To sit in rooms and be on phones and study and research intel that we have and are extracting, to then bring our scouts in all at once to bunker in and have them all here and share ideas and argue and spitball, its one of the real enjoyable parts of growing a program.
The Sixers are working to build a new roster with more question marks than just their trio of draft picks. The team is waiting on the decision from former lottery pick Dario Saric on whether he will remain in Turkey or join the Sixers for next season. Saric has until July 17 to notify his current team.
Another ongoing uncertainty has become clearer this week. Joel Embiid has been cleared for controlled, monitored five-on-five scrimmages. The 2014 third overall pick has yet to play an NBA game because of foot injuries.
Brown stressed the word excitement in regard to his progress. He is looking forward to imparting his in-game experience from his days on the Spurs staff (including stories of Tim Duncan) on Embiid, who did not grow up playing basketball.
Embiids health is a huge factor in how the Sixers shape their frontcourt for the future. While it is not realistic to expect Embiid to play 82 games or 40 minutes a night, knowing that he is a significant step closer to making his debut is long-awaited news for Brown.
You feel a responsibility to help settle him down and grow him at a realistic pace, Brown said. Youre always mindful that the city and their coach cant get too ahead of ourselves where he hasnt played basketball for almost three years.Once the names are called at the draft, the workjust beginsfor Brown. He said he isn"t wired to take a sigh of relief once it"s over, noting, "I feel that theres just so much left to do."
The Sixers will participate in summer leagues in both Utah and Las Vegas. These coincide with free agency, as the Sixers will evaluate who they can acquire in the market and through trades. The team will be looking to make moves, ones it has carefully considered and evaluated.
We all feel the responsibility of getting this right given the situation over the past three years," Brown said."We arent going to skip steps. We understand that there is an element of patience with all of this the growth of the program, the growth of Joel Embiid or the first player, or whats going to happen with Dario Saric. Theres a patience level that cant drown reality of wanting too much too soon and we skip a step. I think the fans should know that we are acutely aware of building this at a meticulous pace. An aggressive pace, but not one thats reckless.
Draft night will have a special result for Brown, who considers holding the locker room together as the biggest challenge he has faced. For the first time in his role with the Sixers, he will be leading a team that is built with long-term plans after coaching a revolving door of players. Brown always has carried the success of the team on his shoulders. He coaches with a sense of accountability, acknowledging Philadelphia and its fans through the Sixers" struggles, and looks for them to be rewarded.
(Thursday is going to be) the realization that were a step further, maybe a big step further, to being able to have a team that the city can wrap their arms around and touch a little bit and feel like it could be their team for a while, Brown said. You can see pieces that can be here for a while. I am always aware of the fans. I feel so responsible.
Viernheim shooting: Man attacks Kinopolis cinema in Germany, takes hostages, perpetrator killed
The rifle-wielding man entered the cinema in Viernheim, near Frankfurt in western Germany, shortly before 3 p.m. local time, Hesse Interior Minister Peter Beuth said.
Police received reports of four shots fired.
German public TV initially said 25 people were injured, but it wasn"t clear if they were shot or hurt in other ways.
After the ordeal ended, a Viernheim police spokesman told CNN that no one was injured by gunfire aside from the attacker.
The U.S. Embassy in Germany said officials are looking into the possibility that tear gas might have caused some of the injuries, spokeswoman Jackie McKennan said.
At one point, the assailant took hostages, but it"s unclear why.
"There were hostages in the vicinity of the individual. It was at this point that he was fatally shot by special forces," Beuth said. "I have no knowledge that anyone else was harmed."
A popular destination
The cinema is part of a major shopping center called Rhein Neckar Zentrum Viernheim. The complex, with more than 100 businesses, hosts 20,000 visitors daily, according to its website.
An employee at Coyote Caf Viernheim, just across from the cinema, said about 50 to 100 officers rushed to the scene.
"Our caf went into lockdown. We brought all of our customers out of the back door," said the employee, who asked not to be named.
"This is something very unusual for our town. I"ve never seen anything like that. I never want to see anything like that again."
Late Thursday afternoon, the shopping complex announced the police operation was over.
"At this moment in time we have no information on injured persons," the shopping center said on its Facebook page. "The driveway is still blocked. We will keep you updated on new developments. "
The motive for Thursday"s attack remains unclear, but German police said there"s no indication the incident was terror-related.
Prior to the attack, police had repeatedly warned that Germany could be targeted by ISIS.
Germany absorbed more than 1 million refugees last year, and there have been concerns about the possibility of ISIS cells in the country.
CNN"s Andrew Carey, Claudia Otto, Michael Pearson, and Bex Wright contributed to this report.
Person of Interest 5x13 Series Finale John Reese Dies
[Warning: spoilers about Person of Interest"s series finale ahead. Proceed with caution if you haven"t watched!]Person of Interest said farewell with a tremendously emotional finale that put a bow on several storylines. John Reese (Jim Caviezel) sacrificed himself for his friend Harold Finch (Michael Emerson), the Machine defeated Samaritan and survived, and Shaw (Sarah Shahi) will have to clean up Bear"s p**p.But because Person of Interest had a shortened final season and because some plots were left open-ended, we still have a few lingering questions. Let"s get to "em.What"s going to happen to Fusco?The last time Detective Lionel Fusco (Kevin Chapman) saw his coworkers at the police department, they had guns pointed at his head. Was the whole precinct rotten because of Samaritan"s deep pockets? And with Samaritan now out of the picture, can the NYPD rebuild with a guy like Fusco at the top? I"m hoping Fusco is part of the new uncorrupted police force and that he"s recognized for his heroism... provided he can stay away from the temptations of his bad past.Will the Machine continue to sort through relevant and irrelevant numbers to keep people safe?We saw the Machine reboot itself back up, check out citizens" social security numbers and even give Shaw a ring on a public pay phone. But just because it"s online, does it mean it will go back to doing Finch"s work? And without an admin and troops on the ground, how will it come to the aid of people in trouble other than opening elevator doors for them and setting their home thermostats? This is the ultimate question that viewers can fill in their own blank as an answer, but I like to think that it continues to watch over people in a more understated role. A new team could be involved, but for now, I"m guessing the Machine works alone.Will Finch ever know that the Machine survived?Page 2 of 3 - Finch made it to Italy with his boo Grace (Carrie Preston) before he could ever know that the Machine started itself up again. Obviously all the Machine has to do is send a Snapchat to Finch"s phone to let her daddy know she"s alive, but I"m wondering if that"s such a good idea. Finch has a chance at a normal life -- something that seemed impossible halfway through the series finale -- and that"s the happiest ending the series provided. I doubt the Machine would want to ruin that, even though Finch and the Machine have a father-daughter relationship. But maybe down the line they could reunite after Finch has gotten a taste of the good life.WHYYYYY? Why did Reese have to die?No one wanted John Reese to die (except for a small portion of the fanatical pro-Root fandom), but his death made the most sense. Reese was only alive because Finch saved him, and when Reese had nothing to look forward to or fall back on, Finch gave him a purpose. That was the general theme of the finale: to find purpose in your life. Having accomplished that purpose by helping people, Reese felt his work was done and paid his good friend back with the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his life so that Finch could have his, and continue it with Grace. And did you see that little smile from Reese as Finch made it off the rooftop? That was a man who was pleased with his decision.What will Shaw do?Root"s (Amy Acker) dead and Shaw"s job with the Machine is done, so what"s left for her? At least she has Bear! However, the Machine already contacted Shaw once since returning from space, could the Machine use Shaw as its new analog interface, replacing Root?What happened to Control? What happened to Zoe? What happened to [insert character name here]?Well, we"ll have to figure that out for ourselves. Due to actors" schedules and the reduced episode count, the producers opted to focus on the open storylines that were central to the series rather than diving back into previous characters, which was the right decision to give us such a tight and meaningful finale. Use that imagination of yours and write some fanfic!Page 3 of 3 - What did the Machine say to Shaw on the pay phone at the end of the series finale?Another great mystery for us to chew on! In all likelihood, she said something to the effect of, "Hey sweetie, I"m still here." But the meaning behind it keeps the door open -- either for more Person of Interest or for us to dream -- which is a much better way to let the show live on, even if it is only theoretical.Which brings us to... Will there ever be more Person of Interest, either as a spin-off or a continuation of the series?This is just my guess, but I"m going with no. With Warner Bros. behind the series, CBS decided to cancel Person of Interest because the profit sharing didn"t benefit the network enough. (In contrast, Elementary had similar ratings to Person of Interest but because it was a CBS Studios production, it made the company plenty of money.) That type of deal would stay in place if Person of Interest went elsewhere, meaning it would be hard to find takers willing to take on that risk. And with one of the main stars dead in the finale and Root gone a few episodes before, it doesn"t seem likely that Person of Interest would live on as a continuation. The only real options here would be to rebuild the team or focus on one of the other teams in another city, like the one introduced in "Synecdoche."What lingering Person of Interest questions do you have?(Full disclosure: TVGuide.com is owned by CBS.)Other Links From TVGuide.com
Julie Chen Gives Us a Tour of the Big Brother 18 House
(Monty Brinton/CBS 2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved)
Tiffany Rousso is the sister of Vanessa Rousso, who is a former contestant from Big Brother. Now Tiffany is a part of the BB family as a cast member on season 18. Get the details on Tiffany and get the latest on her sister below.
Big Brother 18 Live Stream: How to Watch the Season Online
Check out how to watch BB18 (Big Brother) online for the 2016 season via live stream. In addition, the live stream offers live feeds into the house 24/7.
Click here to read more1. She Has Several Sneaky Strategies for Staying on Big Brother
(CBS)
Tiffany Rousso knows a thing or two about how this show, especially since her sister was on it. Tiffany, however, says shes more social than her sister and that should help her more in the game. When it comes to her strategies in winning, she tells CBS:
I am planning on integrating three key facets into my game: I want to build rapport with everyone, be social, and have one person I can trust until the end. I will make people feel like I am on their side. I also hope to be great at competitions when needed. Its all about timing. You dont want to come out with guns blazing! Ill also be sure to align myself loosely with bigger threats, so they get taken out first, but they will be more likely to win HOH competitions.
What do you think of Tiffanys ideas?
2. Her Social Media Presence Is Almost Nonexistent
Working as a middle school teacher, sometimes its a big no no to have accessible social media accounts. Were guessing thats why we her Instagram account is set to private. And, she only recently joined Twitter in May. Click here to check out her Twitter profile.
3. Tiffany Is Bi-Sexual
Tiffanys sister Vanessa is a bi-sexual, who is engaged to longtime girlfriend Melissa Ouellet. Like her sister, Tiffany is also bi-sexual. She says that shes not afraid to flirt with both men and women in the house in order to further her game.
4. She Thinks Paranoia Is a Killer for BB Contestants
Looking back on past seasons, Tiffany says there are several weaknesses that drag down contestants. Tiffany explains to CBS:
It seems like a lot of past Houseguests start getting paranoid and that seems to be their downfall. Every moment in the house is a chance to turn it all around. Its like living in a fairytale book youre creating yourself.
Fresh out the gate, Tiffany says shes ready to strike her prey.
5. Vanessa Rousso Has Started a Career in Music With Sis Tiffany at her Side
Life is good!!! :)
A photo posted by Vanessa Rousso (@vanessarousso) on Jun 4, 2016 at 10:35am PDT
Vanessa Rousso is among the top 5 female professional poker players in the game. Recently, though, she has gotten involved in music. Click here to check out some of her beats on SoundCloud.
Big Brother 2016 Cast: Meet the BB18 Houseguests
BB18 is here with a whole new round of houseguests making up the season cast of Big Brother 2016. Who will be the winner?
Watch this Hilarious Sit-Down with Bethenny Frankel as She Exposes the Game of Men
Could Bethenny Frankel be on her way out? RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned the reality stars gig on The Real Housewives of New York City could be at stake after her recent spate of bad behavior.
Producers arent happy with her, an insider revealed. They believe she is self-producing the show and they are fed up!
One of Frankels biggest mistakes in the eyes of the production is to think she can direct what goes on behind the scenes and on the small screen.
PHOTOS: New Look Bethenny Frankel Out With Daughter In NYC While Ex Jason Hoppy On Date With Sexy Mystery Woman Check Out 11 Must-See Photos!
She has led all the cast members to believe she has serious control of the show given her celeb status, the insider told Radar.
Worse, Shes using her pseudo-clout so much that she has refused to film with certain people, added the insider.
One person who is definitely at the top of 45-year-old Frankels list of co-stars to avoid is Sonja Morgan.
PHOTOS: Bethenny Frankel Unveils New Hamptons Home Decorated By T.J. Maxx, Says It Brings Peace & Freedom After Divorce
Theyve had issues on the show, said the insider, but as part of Real Housewives storylines the women need to try to talk or come to resolutions, which Bethenny refuses do. Shes putting the everything in jeopardy.
But could Frankel lose her gig over the manipulative shenanigans?
Cast members have been known to not come back after pulling stunts like this and Bethenny is no different, noted the insider.
Judith Hill - What a girl wants Whats happening June 24-26
By Joe Zimmermann
Published: 2016.06.22 04:17
Keyboard cat is one of many viral cat videos, the subject of an AFI Silver Theatre festival.
YouTube
Judith HillFridayBethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club
Judith Hill, a singer-songwriter with an impressive resume, comes to Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club for a Friday night performance. In addition to working as a background singer for Stevie Wonder and Elton John, Hill sang a duet with Michael Jackson on I Just Cant Stop Loving You, and her 2015 solo album, Back in Time, was co-produced by Prince. She also appeared in the 2013 Oscar-winning documentary20 Feet from Stardomabout backup singers. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $40-$45.
Internet Cat Video FestivalSaturday and SundayAFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, Silver Spring
Cats star in countless YouTube videos and Facebook feeds, and now theyve earned a spot on AFI Silver Theatres crowded docket of film classics and international documentaries. The Internet Cat Video Festival pays tribute to the Internets favorite pet with everything from six-second vines to short films. The ode to the feline phenomenon promises action and drama in addition to comedy, with showings at 5:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The festival is sponsored by nonprofit group Alley Cat Allies and produced by the Walker Art Centerin Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tickets are $8-$13.
Washington Metro Gamer Symphony OrchestraSaturdayF. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville
The Washington Metro Gamer Symphony Orchestra will perform music from video games in the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre on Friday. Featuring a live choir, the performance attempts to highlight the artistry of the songs even when they are performed outside the context of role-playing with animated characters.
Advanced tickets are $6 and tickets at the door are $7. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Good Ol FredaSaturdayAMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda
Many people operated at the periphery of The Beatles at one point or another during the bands career, but few were as intimately involved from the start as Freda Kelly. The film Good Ol Freda tells her story of joining the Fab Four as the groups secretary when they were still a local band in Liverpool and remaining with them through their eventual stardom. AMP is hosting a screening of the movie followed by a Q&A with Kelly. Tickets are $25-$40 for the 8 p.m. event.
Best of SerenadeSundayThe Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda
Strathmore brings a host of choirs from around the world for its Best of Serenade concert. Led by acclaimed conductor Simon Carrington, the event features ensembles from countries including Italy, Japan and Latvia. Tickets are $5-$10, and the show starts at 3 p.m. in the music center.
Community Fun DaySundayRockville Senior Center, Rockville
The yearly Community Fun Day at the Rockville Senior Center features games and activities for kids as well as free barbeque for the whole family. The event is free, although donations are accepted for the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department. Police and rescue personnel will be on hand to meet families and display their emergency vehicles. The day starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m.
Live on the PlazaFridayBethesda Metro Plaza
With live music from local bandsand food from local vendors, the Live on the Plaza event is a celebration of what Bethesda has to offer, according to organizers. The free event runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and is open to to the public.
