Monday morning news: August 5, 2019

At least 29 dead after two mass shootings in 24 hours » Families are grieving as investigators continue sifting through evidence today after two mass shootings left 29 dead over the weekend. 

A 21-year-old man who opened fire in a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, Saturday morning is behind bars. U.S. attorney John Bash said prosecutors are carefully reviewing the case… 

BASH: With a view towards bringing federal hate crime charges under 18-USC-249, and federal firearms charges, which carry a penalty of death. 

At least 20 people died in that attack. The FBI says it’s treating the incident as an act domestic terrorism. The gunman reportedly posted an anti-immigrant manifesto online before the massacre.

State prosecutors also say they intend to seek the death penalty.

Hours later in Dayton, Ohio—a 24-year-old gunman opened fire outside a bar around 1 a.m. He killed at least nine people, including his own sister before police shot and killed him. 

WHALEY: The officers were there less than a minute from the beginning of the shooting. 

Dayton Mayor Nannette Whaley. 

The shooter wore body armor and brought extra magazines for his rifle. 

Investigators are still trying to determine a motive for that shooting. They’re uncertain if he intentionally targeted his sister or anyone in particular. 

Protesters defy Chinese government in Hong Kong » In Hong Kong, pro-democracy protesters defied Chinese authorities once again amid renewed rallies on Sunday. 

AUDIO: [Sound of protests]

The latest demonstrations came just days after the Chinese government made what many saw as a thinly veiled threat. China’s army posted a dramatic 3-minute video online showing the army carrying out so-called anti-riot exercises. 

The video showed soldiers with shields and batons also using armored vehicles and barbed wire. The video fueled concerns that China may turn to military force to halt the protests in the semi-autonomous city. 

Sudanese protesters sign power-sharing deal with military » Meantime in Sudan, leaders from the country’s pro-democracy movement signed a power-sharing agreement with the ruling military council on Sunday.  

The deal aims to pave the way for a transition to a ruling civilian government.

Representatives signed a document that describes a new joint military and civilian council to rule for about three years until elections can be held. 

The military overthrew President Omar al-Bashir in April after months of mass protests against him. Protesters remained in the streets, demanding a quick transition to civilian rule. 

President searching for new DNI after Ratcliffe withdraws » President Trump is looking for a new national intelligence director after his pick for the job withdrew from consideration. 

The president said Texas Congressman John Ratcliffe backed out because of what he called unfair treatment by Democrats and the press. 

TRUMP: I asked him, I said do you want to go through this for two or three months or would you want me to maybe do something else and he thought about it. I said it’s going to be rough. I can see exactly where the press is going. 

Ratcliffe faced a difficult confirmation process as Democrats openly dismissed him unqualified and partisan. And some fellow Republicans offered only lukewarm support.

Ratcliffe would have replaced Dan Coats, who repeatedly clashed with Trump and announced his resignation a week ago. Coats is stepping down on August 15th. 

Fast & Furious spinoff dethrones the Lion King » At the weekend box office, the new Fast & Furious spinoff dethroned the king.

TRAILER: So you guys are being hunted by an army of mercenaries led by a genetically enhanced soldier. 

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw opened with $61 million for the weekend. That bumped The Lion King to second place. It earned another $38 million.

You can find WORLD’s reviews of current films—along with ratings and content information—at WNG.org/movies.

(AP Photo/Andres Leighton) A Texas State Trooper walks back to his car while providing security outside the Walmart store in the aftermath of a mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019.

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