Aug 30, 2019

Military judge sets 2021 trial date for alleged 9/11 plotters

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Photo: Mai/Mai/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images

A military judge has set a trial date for five men accused of helping to carry out the 9/11 attacks — including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who the 9/11 Commission Report called their "principal architect" — for Jan. 11, 2021, reports the New York Times.

Why this matters: This is the first time a trial date has been set for the alleged plotters, who have been held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and face the death penalty in conjunction with the charges. They were first arraigned in 2012. Mohammed has been held at Guantanamo since at least 2006 after his capture in Pakistan in 2003.

Go deeper: Global terror attacks have skyrocketed since 9/11

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A closer look at how colleges can reopen

The campus of Brown University. Photo: Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Masks in class, sports on hold, dorm life without roommates and summer 2021 classes for some: Brown University President Christina Paxson tells "Axios on HBO" it's all in play as colleges consider whether and how to safely reopen campuses in the fall.

Why it matters: An extended shutdown of U.S. colleges and universities would leave nearly 20 million students and 3 million employees with an uncertain future, but premature reopenings without proper coronavirus safeguards could jeopardize lives and force more closings.

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How Disney World could host the NBA

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

After weeks of speculation, the NBA announced Saturday that it is in early discussions to resume its season in late July at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.

What they're saying: The NBA's most well-sourced reporter, Adrian Wojnarowski, says "everything is pointing toward" this happening, and that teams could start recalling players as soon as next week for a two-week quarantine period and formal training camp before heading to Florida.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow55 mins ago - Sports

U.S.-China trade tensions are escalating again

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

As the coronavirus pandemic appears to be subsiding in China, it's becoming clear that its targets for the phase one trade deal with the U.S. are unrealistic and there is so far no sign of a plan for renegotiation.

What's happening: White House National Economic Council director Larry Kudlow said Thursday the trade deal was "intact, and China has every intent of implementing it."

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow1 hour ago - Economy & Business