10 things you need to know today: June 15, 2015

(Image credit: AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

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1. U.S. targets mastermind of 2013 Algeria attack
2. Jeb Bush reveals logo ahead of presidential campaign announcement
3. China and Russia decoded Snowden documents, according to report
4. Cuomo says escaped killers could be "in Mexico by now"
5. South African court considers ordering Sudanese president's arrest
6. Last-minute Greek bailout talks fail
7. Embattled Spokane NAACP leader postpones meeting
8. Two teens lose arms in shark attacks along North Carolina beach
9. Warriors pull ahead of Cavaliers in NBA Finals
10. Jurassic World tears up box office records

last updated 15 June 2015

1. U.S. targets mastermind of 2013 Algeria attack

The Libyan government said Sunday night that U.S. airstrikes had killed Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the suspected mastermind of the 2013 terrorist seizure of an Algerian gas plant in which 38 foreign hostages died. U.S. officials confirmed that Belmokhtar was the target, but said they were uncertain of his fate. An Islamist connected to Libyan militants said the strikes had missed Belmokhtar, but killed four members of a Libyan extremist group linked to the 2012 Benghazi attack that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

Jeb Bush unveiled his campaign logo on Sunday as he prepared to launch his bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Miami on Monday. The logo features the former Florida governor's first name, and an exclamation point. Analysts interpreted the emblem as an attempt by Bush to distance himself from his famous family name. "The most important thing about the Jeb logo isn't the exclamation point that is there," wrote David Frum, a former speechwriter for ex-president George W. Bush. "It's the last name that isn't there."

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China and Russia have cracked secrets in classified documents pilfered from the U.S. National Security Agency by Edward Snowden, forcing Britain "to pull agents out of live operations in hostile countries," according to a report in London's Sunday Times. "Snowden has done incalculable damage," one official said. Journalists Glenn Greenwald and Ryan Gallagher, who have worked with the Snowden files, said the report cited no evidence, just anonymous sources, and was probably wrong.

Joyce Mitchell, the New York prison tailor accused of helping two murderers escape, is due back in court Monday as the search for the inmates enters its 10th day. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said Sunday that investigators did not know whether the escapees, Richard Matt and David Sweat, "are still in the immediate area or if they are in Mexico by now." Prosecutors said Mitchell agreed to be the getaway driver but backed out at the last minute, and it was unclear if the inmates had a "plan B."

A South African court on Sunday ordered the government to keep Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir from leaving South Africa until it can hold a Monday hearing on whether to order his arrest. Al-Bashir is the only head of state wanted on International Criminal Court genocide charges. He faces two arrest warrants connected to the conflict in Darfur. South Africa's government gave him immunity to attend an African Union summit, and called for the court to let him go. Sudan said al-Bashir would return home Monday.

Crisis talks between Greece and its European creditors broke down in less than an hour on Sunday. Greece needs help to repay $1.8 billion to the International Monetary Fund by the end of June. Greek officials said they were willing to keep talking, but European Union officials said Athens had failed to make concessions creditors want on further government worker pension and wage cuts. EU leaders said they would meet Thursday to discuss what comes next after the "last attempt" at a deal failed.

Spokane, Washington, NAACP acting president Rachel Dolezal has postponed a Monday meeting of her chapter as she faces questions over her ethnicity. Dolezal identifies herself as African American, of mixed race, but her parents last week said she is white. Dolezal had said that she and her executive board would be making a statement about the issue on Monday. Some members of the Spokane NAACP launched a petition asking her to take a leave of absence. "This is not about race," said petition organizer Kitara Johnson. "This is about integrity."

Two teenagers were mauled in separate shark attacks about two miles apart off Oak Island, North Carolina, on Sunday. The first victim, a 13-year-old girl, lost her left arm below the elbow after being bitten around 4:40 p.m. The second victim, a 16-year-old boy, was attacked just over an hour later. His left arm was amputated below the shoulder. Both were in stable condition after surgery. Oak Island Town Manager Tim Holloman urged people to stay out of the water but the beaches would be open Monday.

The Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-91 Sunday night in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 37 points, while LeBron James had 40 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists for the Cavs. Game 6 is Tuesday in Cleveland. The Warriors now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2, putting them a game away from their first championship since 1975. The Cavs have yet to win a championship during their 45-year history.

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Harold Maass is a contributing editor at The Week. He has been writing for The Week since the 2001 debut of the U.S. print edition and served as editor of TheWeek.com when it launched in 2008. Harold started his career as a newspaper reporter in South Florida and Haiti. He has previously worked for a variety of news outlets, including The Miami Herald, ABC News and Fox News, and for several years wrote a daily roundup of financial news for The Week and Yahoo Finance.