US shocked by Baton Rouge shootings

These are some of the headlines we are tracking for you in this episode of On the News Line:

US shocked by Baton Rouge shootings 

The fatal shootings of police officers in the city of Baton Rouge have left the US in shock days after a similar incident in Dallas Texas. The latest incident killed several officers and injured some others, adding to tensions in a country suffering from social and racial divisions. Authorities have identified the gunman as 29-year-old Gavin Long, a former marine. Investigators say they may have found clues as to the motive behind the killings in Long’s writings and online footprint. In a video online he claims that victims of bullying need to resort to force: "100% have been successful through fighting back. Through bloodshed. Zero have been successful just over simply protesting. It has never worked, and it never will."

Turkey-US tensions 

The failed coup in Turkey has adversely affected relations between the country and the US, a traditional NATO ally of Ankara. US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Ankara to maintain what he called democratic principles as it cracks down on those behind the coup. Kerry said Turkey risks losing the NATO membership if it fails to do so. Turkey's high-ranking officials have also criticized the US for giving sanctuary to dissident cleric Fethullah Gulen whom they accuse of involvement in Friday’s coup. Since Erdogan’s supporters foiled the military revolt, the officials including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim have both directly and indirectly demanded Washington extradite Gulen.

France mourns Nice victims 

France is still in shock over a horrible truck rampage in Nice this past week that left scores dead and many wounded. The nation united to mourn the victims of the third terror attack in the country in less than two years. The ISIL terror network has claimed responsibility for the attack. But the French people made it clear who should be held responsible for the vulnerable security situation in the country. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has been booed and jeered in Nice as he attended a memorial service for the victims of last week's deadly terror attack in the city. He was also greeted with calls for resignation. The administration of French President Francois Hollande is under mounting criticism for its inability to prevent three major terrorist attacks in the past 18 months. Hollande is facing what many believe is a growing lack of confidence by his own nation in his leadership abilities to protect them. 

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