10 things you need to know today: July 10, 2015

1. South Carolina's Confederate flag is coming down today

On Thursday, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) signed a law removing the Confederate battle flag from the Statehouse grounds, marking the end of a legislative battle that began last month in the wake of the allegedly racially motivated Charleston church shootings. The flag, which many consider to be a racist symbol, will officially come down from its post at the Capitol building at 10 a.m. ET today.

The New York Times

2. Greece submits €53.5 billion bailout proposal to creditors

The Greek government submitted economic reform proposals to its creditors just two hours before their midnight deadline. The package of reforms and spending cuts, similar to the one Greek voters rejected Sunday, includes pension savings and tax increases. The proposal, which calls for the restructuring of Greece's debt, is for a three-year bailout loan of at least €53.5 billion ($59.2 billion). EU leaders will hold a summit Sunday to decide if Greece will receive another bailout or leave the currency. The initial market reaction to the deal on Friday was very positive.

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Bloomberg

3. Pope apologizes for 'crimes committed' by the Catholic Church against indigenous people

During an event in Bolivia on Thursday, Pope Francis apologized for the "offenses" carried out by the Catholic Church against indigenous people in the past. Speaking to activists, indigenous groups, and President Evo Morales, the first-ever indigenous president of Bolivia, Francis said he "humbly" asked for "forgiveness, not only for the offenses of the church itself, but also for crimes committed against the native peoples during the so-called conquest of America."

The Associated Press

4. FBI says it foiled ISIS-inspired 4th of July attacks

The FBI arrested more than 10 people in the weeks leading up to the 4th of July, thwarting several plots inspired by ISIS online recruiters, FBI Director James Comey said Thursday. "I do believe our work disrupted efforts to kill people likely in connection with July 4th," he said. Comey did not say how many plots there were, or what the targets were.

Reuters

5. GOP bigwigs fear Trump may cost the party the 2016 election

The media frenzy following Donald Trump has become a source of deep concern for the GOP, which fears that his views — criticized as racist — may be mistaken for the party's as a whole, hurting the eventual nominee's chances with Latino voters, among many others. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus got Trump on the phone to tell him to "tone it down," The Washington Post reports. One GOP state party chairman added, "He could be one of the reasons we lose. It's that serious."

The Washington Post

6. Deadline missed in Iran nuclear talks

After months of negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program, Iran and the so-called P5+1 group — the U.N. Security Council's five permanent members, plus Germany — were unable to come up with an agreement by a midnight Thursday deadline. The deal centers on Iran shelving its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Because a deal was not reached by midnight, Congress now has 60 days to review any potential deal before U.S. sanctions can be lifted. Previously, it had been 30 days. Talks will resume in Vienna, where they have been held over the past several weeks.

BBC

7. Actor Tom Selleck reaches settlement over alleged water theft

Magnum, P.I. actor Tom Selleck has reached a tentative settlement with a California water district after allegedly stealing water from a hydrant for his 60-acre property in the drought-stricken state. The Calleguas Municipal Water District will consider the settlement, the details of which are confidential until approved, at its Wednesday board meeting.

Los Angeles Times

8. Hollywood Walk of Fame won't remove Bill Cosby, Donald Trump stars

Despite recent controversy surrounding Bill Cosby and Donald Trump, they'll keep their stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "A celebrity’s politics, philosophy, irrational behavior, outrageous remarks, or anything like that have never been cause to remove a Walk of Fame star," said Leron Gubler, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. Cosby has been accused of rape by dozens of women, and Trump has come under fire for derogatory remarks about Mexican immigrants.

Variety

9. Serena Williams blows past Maria Sharapova in Wimbledon semifinals

Serena Williams defeated longtime rival Maria Sharapova 6-2, 6-4 in the Wimbledon semifinals Thursday. The win marked the 17th consecutive match in which Williams has held off Sharapova. Top-seeded Williams is on a roll this season, with a 38-1 record thus far. Her hopes for a "Serena Slam" (titles in four straight Grand Slam events) are very much intact. The tennis star faces 20th-seeded Garbine Muguruza, who defeated Williams at the 2014 French Open, in Saturday's final.

The Washington Post

10. First chapter of Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman released online

It's one of the most anticipated books in years. And now you can read the first chapter of Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman for free online. The book is out July 14, but The Guardian has the first chapter up on its website, as well as an audio version narrated by Reese Witherspoon. Go Set a Watchman was written in the 1950s, and actually submitted to publishers before Lee's classic To Kill a Mockingbird. The book is said to have been re-discovered in 2014.

The Guardian