What to know now:
1. Duterte regrets SOB remark: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he regrets using the term "son of a b-----" when referring to President Obama in comments he made in advance of a regional summit in Laos. Duterte, who is no stranger to sprinkling profanities in his public comments, said he had not intended the comments as a personal attack on Obama, but had made them "in response to questions by a reporter that elicited concern and distress." The reporter asked Duterte how he intended to explain the deaths outside of the judicial system of nearly 2,000 suspected drug dealers in the Philippines. President Obama called off a scheduled meeting with Duterte following the remark.
2. Obama on Kaepernick: President Obama said NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick was "exercising his constitutional right" to bring attention to national issues with his refusal to stand for the National Anthem, but warned that in choosing that method, he may be clouding his own message. "When it comes to the flag and the national anthem and the meaning that holds for our men and women in uniform and those who fought for us — that is a tough thing for them to get past," Obama said. "But I don't doubt his sincerity. I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about. If nothing else, he's generated more conversation about issues that have to be talked about." Obama was speaking at a press conference Monday in China where he is attending a meeting of the Group of 20 summit.
3. Cosby assault case: Attorneys representing Bill Cosby in the sexual misconduct case against the comedian intend to ask a Pennsylvania judge to throw out a damning deposition he gave in 2005, along with a recording of a phone call between Cosby and the mother of the woman he is accused of assaulting. Cosby is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004. He has been charged with three counts of felony aggravated indecent assault.
4. Schlafly dies: Phyllis Schlafly, an outspoken defender of ultra-conservative causes who helped defeat the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s, died Monday at her home in St. Louis. Schlafly first came to the nation's attention when she published a book in 1964, "A Choice, Not an Echo," a manifesto of far right views. From there she began to speak out on national forums, often representing an anti-feminist view. Schlafly also founded the Eagle Forum which pushes for low taxes, border security and English-only education. Schlafly was 92.
5. Oklahoma quakes: The U.S. Geological Survey is trying to determine if a 5.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Oklahoma on Saturday was a result of underground disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production. The quake struck at Pawnee, Okla., near Tulsa. "Without studying the specifics of the wastewater injection and oil and gas production in this area, the USGS cannot currently conclude whether or not this particular earthquake was caused by industrial-related, human activities," the USGS said in a statement. "However, we do know that many earthquakes in Oklahoma have been triggered by wastewater fluid injection." The process is also known as fracking.
And one more
The remains of a Minnesota boy kidnapped 27 years ago have been found. Jacob Wetterling was abducted at gunpoint by a man wearing a mask as he, his brother and a friend rode bikes near their St. Joseph, Minn., home. The man let the other boys go that evening, but took Wetterling. He was never seen again. According to police, 53-year-old Daniel Heinrich told the FBI where Wetterling's remains were located.
In case you missed it
A few hacks for the school year.
About the Author
