Greece Floods, Enrique Tarrio, and America's Offbeat Attractions

Flooding in Greece 

Torrential rains have triggered a potentially historic flooding event in Greece, with rain totals of more than 30 inches expected in some places through today from a storm system locally known as Daniel. The storm system has already released 2 feet of rain in parts of central Greece over 24 hours and has caused floods in neighboring Turkey and Bulgaria. At least seven people have been killed across the three countries.

Weather analysts say the system could develop into a Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone, also known as a “medicane," as warmer temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea fuel extreme weather patterns. The system is also part of a weather pattern known as an "Omega Block," named for resembling the Greek letter Omega, which is allowing a heat dome to build over central Europe while bringing heavy rain to the Mediterranean. 

The flooding rain arrives days after the largest wildfire recorded in Europe blazed across northeastern Greece for two weeks, killing more than 20 people and scorching over 200,000 acres of land—an area greater than the size of New York City. 

See photos from the flooding here.

Sedition Sentencing 

Former Proud Boys leader Henry "Enrique" Tarrio was sentenced yesterday to 22 years in prison, the longest punishment given to anyone charged in the Jan. 6 storming of the US Capitol. The news comes four months after he was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his involvement in the Capitol breach. Four other Proud Boys were sentenced last week to terms ranging from 10 to 18 years.

Prosecutors argued 39-year-old Tarrio organized and directed the plot, despite not being present at the Capitol due to an arrest two days earlier, citing messages between Tarrio and other Proud Boys. Tarrio’s attorneys argued he was used as a scapegoat for former President Donald Trump.

Separately, jury selection began yesterday for the trial of former White House adviser Peter Navarro on criminal charges he ignored a subpoena in February 2022 by the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 storming. He faces one count of refusing to appear for the deposition and another of withholding documents. If convicted, he could face up to two years in prison and fines of up to $200K.

Freedom Convoy Trial

A two-week trial began yesterday against two organizers of last year's mass trucker protest that brought much of Canada's capital of Ottawa to a standstill. Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, two of the 140 arrested in the weekslong demonstration, are charged with mischief and obstructing police, among other charges.

The protests began last January after Canada required all essential workers—including truckers crossing the US border—to be vaccinated against COVID-19 amid a peak in daily reported case levels in the country. Hundreds of 18-wheeler semi-trucks blocked traffic on highways and bridges, reportedly irritating residents and spawning copycat protests elsewhere. To end the protest, officials temporarily expanded police powers via the first use of the 1988 Federal Emergencies Act. See protest photos here.

Prosecutors will attempt to show Lich and Barber encouraged protesters to defy authorities; each could face jail time if convicted. The outcome is expected to set a precedent for other protesters awaiting trial. 

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Historybook: Magellan’s ship Victoria completes circumnavigation of the globe (1522); Social work pioneer Jane Addams born (1860); Munich massacre takes place at Munich Olympic Games; 11 Israeli athletes and coaches killed by terrorist group (1972); Idris Elba born (1972); Actor Burt Reynolds dies (2018).