LOCAL
Fire rages in Athens, evicting students, businesses
The Post Five buildings on Union St. in downtown Athens were damaged early Sunday morning in a fire that forced dozens of Ohio University students out of their homes. The Union Bar & Grill, a famous pub and student hangout, was among the businesses damaged in the blaze. OU ferried affected students to local motels.
Green jobs report silencing linked to Ohio Republicans
The Columbus Dispatch The Ohio Development Services Agency refused to publicize a report on green jobs in the state until a bill freezing state standards on renewable energy and energy efficiency was passed by Gov. Kasich in June. The report, which shows that Ohio has over 31,000 “green jobs,” sat on a shelf while state legislators debated the standards freeze. The Dispatch thinks that had the report been more readily available, Republicans would have had a harder time making their case for the bill.
NATIONAL
Indiana man latest in Islamic State execution victims
Politico The White House confirmed on Sunday that a video circulating the internet depicting the beheading of 26-year-old aid worker Peter Kassig at the hands of the Islamic State is authentic. Kassig, an aid worker, was captured by IS in Syria in October 2013. The militants threaten more such executions if attacks on their positions in Iraq are continued.
National Cathedral hosts first-ever Muslim prayer service
The Washington Post The Washington National Cathedral hosted a Muslim prayer service on Friday, the first time the church has done so. The ecumenical sermon, which focused on the need to oppose extremism, was delivered by Ebrahim Rasool, a Muslim scholar and South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S., and Rev. Gary Hall, the Cathedral’s dean.
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine crisis looms large at G20 summit in Australia
USA Today Leaders at this year’s G20 meeting in Brisbane, Australia were preoccupied with Russia’s recent activities in Ukraine, according to reports. Although Russian president Vladimir Putin kept a low profile, he was apparently accosted by British PM David Cameron while President Obama colluded with his Japanese and Australian counterparts over the Ukraine controversy. The summit was held on Saturday and Sunday.
Comet lander falls silent after landing malfunction
Scientific American Philae, the first spacecraft to ever land on a comet, made a bouncy landing Wednesday on 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. The harpoons meant to anchor the lander to the surface failed to fire, forcing a haphazard landing that damaged the spacecraft. ESA scientists were able to collect data for 57 hours before the lander’s batteries died Friday.