This man has survived on just pizza for 25 years. Our hero. This is THE MORNING EMAIL for Tuesday, July 22, 2014.
The Scuttlebutt
- Read the heartbreaking letter from a father of a MH17 passenger to Vladimir Putin
- Is this the back panel of the iPhone 6?
- It’s Prince George’s first birthday!!!
NO SIGN OF CEASEFIRE IN GAZA
“An Israeli soldier is missing following a deadly battle in the Gaza Strip, a defense official said Tuesday as Israeli airstrikes pummeled a wide range of targets in the coastal strip and diplomatic efforts intensified to end more than two weeks of fighting that has killed at least 585 Palestinians and 29 Israelis.” This escalation has taken place amidst John Kerry and Ban Ki-moon’s visit. The missing Israeli soldier is presumed dead, according to local media reports. And children are paying the highest price for the ongoing conflict, as this interactive graphic shows. [AP]
WORLD CALLS ON RUSSIA TO ALLOW INTERNATIONAL ACCESS
“President Barack Obama sternly called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to compel Kremlin-backed separatists to stop hampering the probe at the Ukraine site of a downed passenger jet and allow international investigators unfettered access.” Ukrainian separtists turned over MH17’s black boxes this morning. Authorities are continuing to piece together what happened to the flight from clues in the wreckage. Here’s why some airlines aren’t deterred by war zones. This is how the Russian public thinks it all happened. Malaysian Airlines’ future financial prospects aren’t looking too good. And read the heartbreaking letter to Putin from a grieving father that begins with “Thank you very much, Mr. Putin, separatist leaders and Ukrainian government! For murdering my sweet and only child.” [AP]
PERRY DEPLOYS TROOPS TO TEXAS BORDER
“Texas Gov. Rick Perry will immediately send up to 1,000 National Guard troops to help secure the southern border, where tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors from Central America have crossed into the United States this year in a surge that is deemed a humanitarian crisis.” House GOP leaders couldn’t be more pleased at the move. And The New York Times thinks Perry’s gunning for a Republican presidential nomination. [CNN]
STATESIDE: Big Step for Detroit
Workers and retirees agreed to pension cuts in Detroit. Child poverty is on the rise in the U.S. A pregnant teen was strangled and her boyfriend decapitated after they met up with a stranger they contacted through Craigslist. Johns Hopkins paid a settlement of $190 million after one of their gynecologists secretly videoed and photographed thousands of his patients. According to the EPA’s Office of Water Twitter account, the agency is a big Kim Kardashian fan. Jurors convicted Azamat Tazhayakov of obstructing a terrorist investigation after he tried to hide evidence against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev after the Boston bombing. A man was arrested at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon for molesting four girls. The 9/11 Commission’s report on the U.S.’s ability to thwart a terrorist attack cites major prevention gaps. Many doctors aren’t too happy with the added training component the American Board of Internal Medicine now requires every few years. And check out the best (and worst) places to raise kids across the country.
In forget the cane news, this grandpa throws his aside to show off his dance moves.
INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE: Boko Haram’s Reign of Terror
Over 15,000 Nigerians have fled a Northeast region after a series of deadly attacks by Boko Haram, and eleven parents of the 200 missing girls have died since the kidnapping. This project could filter plastic from the world’s oceans. The body of the man in charge of the company that managed the capsized South Korean ferry was found. South African rhinos may be evacuated to save them from poachers. In a story straight out of an Ian Fleming novel, this Russian spy’s widow is hoping the British government can answer who poisoned her husband. And thought it was hot last month? June broke the heat record.
In this bunny is the Hulk news, watch this rabbit attack an envelope box.
BUY! SELL! BUY! A Backlit iPhone 6?!?
Could this be the back panel of the iPhone 6? Netflix is going to start selling physical gift cards in retail stores -- add that to our Christmas list, Mom. Here’s the story behind the new “buy” button on Facebook. You can rack up rewards points with Verizon -- as long as you let them track your movements. Even though Chipotle upped its prices this year, Americans couldn’t stay away. And The Washington Post’s new section ups the “wonk wars.”
In mirrors are hard news, this cat just doesn’t understand.
SCOUTING REPORT: Singing Fat Lady Update
The Mariners learned the hard way that you celebrate only when the game is over. Coack K thinks the Cavs should have traded Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love yesterday. A.J. McCarron may not be the starting QB for the Bengals, but he did just marry Katherine Webb, whose honeymoon shots probably have Andy Dalton jealous. This is why we’re signing up for the next sleepover at the closest Major League Baseball ballpark. And LeBron James is the cutest dad ever watching his son win the AAU Fourth Grade Division I national championship tournament -- just look at that dogpile hug! [Image via MLB.com]
In relaxation news, this cat just wants another head scratch.
CULTURE CATCH-UP: Hollywood’s Leading Man 
Robert Downey Jr. raked in $75 million this past year, making him the highest paid actor from June 2013 to June 2014. Other top earners include the Rock and Bradley Cooper. Could a new Kanye album be dropping in September? We’re totally creeped out by the first trailer for Jake Gyllenhaal’s “Nightcrawler.” Here’s your first look at the X-Wing in the next “Star Wars” installment. Apparently “Orange is the New Black” made wearing orange jumpsuits too fun, so jails are changing uniforms because as one sheriff put it, “it's not cool to be an inmate.” Yahoo is bringing “One Chance” to its users ten days before it hits movie theaters. And these are the eight New Yorker stories you should read while its archives are free this summer.
In safe crossing news, this cyclist stops traffic to protect this duck family.
LIVIN’: Darn Nerves
These nervous habits are damaging your health. This is how you copy A-list style on the cheap. Check out how to style your hair, without needing a blow dryer, curling iron, or straightener. Here’s how a brain-eating amoeba kills you. These uber-successful people’s stories will change how you view depression. These photos of “roofing” in Hong Kong are spectacular, but aren’t helping us get over our fear of heights. And in case you didn’t see that horrorific “Girls” scene, this is why you should never, ever, ever clean your ears with a Q-Tip.
In linguistic news, this elephant can speak Korean.
OTHER PEOPLE’S BUSINESS: The Little Prince
Prince George could not be cuter in the official photos released for his first birthday. It appears that there's a wedding in Scarlett Johansson’s future. Kendall Jenner posed topless for “Love” magazine. Former Destiny’s Child member (for a hot sec) Farrah Franklin was arrested over the weekend. And to apologize for adding a d to James Garner’s name, here’s a photo gallery of his life. [Image via Daily Mail]
In nostalgic news, this website will generate the definitive songs from a year of your choosing. Oh yeah, S Club 7.
TWITTERATI
@PassionPosts: Honestly, I love it when I catch you staring.
@EmergencyPuppy: I wear a bow tie now, bow ties are cool.
@michaelianblack: Actually, I'm fine with the game. I really do just hate the player.
@Il1uminati: Don't make someone a priority if you're just their option.
@HistoricalPics: Google autocomplete results: "Why is [state] so..."
ONE MORE THING
Here’s how you cool down a drink in two minutes, flat.
Got something to add? Send tips/quips/quotes/stories/photos/events/scoops to Lauren Weber (lauren.weber@huffingtonpost.com). Follow us on Twitter (@LaurenWeberHP). Does somebody keep forwarding you this newsletter? Get your own copy. It's free! Sign up here.