10 things you need to know today: July 2, 2016

1. 20 hostages dead in brutal Bangladesh attack

After an 11-hour standoff, Bangladeshi troops entered a restaurant in the diplomatic zone of the nation's capital on Saturday where attackers had holed up with hostages, many of them foreigners. Twenty hostages were found dead, and six attackers were killed in the raid. The attackers, whom the Islamic State claimed as its own, were reportedly armed with guns, swords, and bombs. Many of the dead hostages were reportedly "brutally killed" with sharp weapons. Thirteen hostages were rescued in the raid, and a seventh attacker was arrested.

The New York Times

2. Clinton scheduled for FBI interviews in email investigation

Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton may have to take time off the campaign trail, perhaps this weekend, to speak with FBI investigators looking into the personal email server she used while secretary of state. Several of Clinton's current and former aides, who also used the server, have already spoken with the agency, though it was previously unknown whether Clinton herself would be required to give testimony. The FBI reportedly plans to finish its inquiry in advance of the major parties' conventions at the end of July.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

The Hill ABC News

3. White House reveals civilian death toll from drone strikes

On Friday, the Obama administration revealed that the U.S. has killed between 64 and 116 civilians and 2,500 members of terrorist groups in counterterrorism airstrikes. The announcement of the death count, which only concerns strikes conducted outside of active war zones and which The New York Times reported is "hundreds lower than most estimates compiled by independent organizations," came alongside an executive order from President Obama that will require his successors to disclose civilian death tolls annually. Critics of the controversial war tactic say the large range in the official death toll underscores the government's uncertainty as to who exactly is being killed by these strikes.

The New York Times The Washington Post

4. California approves extensive new gun control package

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed six new gun control measures into law on Friday while vetoing five other gun-related bills he said were excessive in regulatory scope. Among the bills Brown signed was one prohibiting possession of magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, as well as a ban on semiautomatic weapons with "bullet buttons," a feature that facilitates speedy reloading. Brown's decision was hailed by gun control supporters as "far-reaching and bold" and by gun rights advocates as a "draconian" exploitation of post-Orlando fears.

The New York Times

5. Attorney general says she regrets meeting with Bill Clinton

Attorney General Loretta Lynch admitted her private meeting with former President Bill Clinton "cast a shadow" on her own claim to impartiality in the Justice Department's investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while in office. "I certainly wouldn't do it again," Lynch said, though she refused to speak specifically about why she allowed the meeting to occur at all. "I completely get that question," Lynch commented, "and I think it is the question of the day."

Associated Press

6. DNC platform draft champions progressive causes

The Democratic National Committee released a draft of its 2016 party platform Friday, and the document suggests that candidate Bernie Sanders may be successfully influencing his party's positions even if he is not claiming its nomination. Approved by 13 out of 15 drafting committee members, the platform endorses free community college, a $15 federal minimum wage, and ending the death penalty — all signature Sanders views. However, progressive Democrats are likely to be less happy with the way the platform treats other issues like trade and fracking.

Politico Democratic National Committee

7. Thousands march in London to protest Brexit

Thousands of protesters gathered in London Saturday to express their displeasure over Britain's recent exit from the European Union. With signs reading "Wrexit" and "I'm with EU," the marchers chanted, "What do we want to do? Stay in the EU!" as they walked toward Parliament. Some 60 percent of England's capital city voted to remain in the EU, but across the United Kingdom, the "leave" vote triumphed with 52 percent support. Rally organizer Kieran MacDermott said he believes "We can prevent Brexit by refusing to accept the referendum as the final say."

Reuters

8. Michigan gas line explosion burns two buildings, evacuates roads

A fiery natural gas explosion occurred in Melvindale, Michigan, around 3 a.m. Saturday morning when a car crashed into a large gas main. More than a dozen streets were evacuated and residents taken to local schools and churches as two building caught fire. The car's driver was hospitalized, but no other injuries have been reported. "I was sleeping, got knocked out of the bed," said Melvindale's Ed Bagdasarian. "It was just a big boom. It sounded like a locomotive for about 20 minutes."

Click on Detroit

9. Garrison Keillor hosts his final episode of Prairie Home Companion

Public radio veteran Garrison Keillor hosted his final episode of Prairie Home Companion on Friday night in Los Angeles. Scheduled to be broadcast Saturday, the show features a call-in from President Obama as well as a final installment of "News from Lake Wobegon," Keillor's storied report on the happenings of a fictional Minnesota town where "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average." In October, Companion will resume with a new host, Chris Thile.

Associated Press

10. Injured Usain Bolt withdraws from Jamaican Olympic trials

Six-time Olympic gold medalist sprinter Usain Bolt has withdrawn from the Jamaican Olympic trials for the 100 meter race following a grade 1 tear in his left hamstring which he announced on Twitter. Bolt won his semifinal race in Jamaica before submitting a medical exemption in advance of the final. "I will seek treatment immediately and hope to show fitness at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio," Bolt said.

The Washington Post CNN