keealthystand.org. another night of violent military strikes and counterstrikes between israel and palestinians as the death toll rises here's how one 10-year-old digging through the rubble for survivors described it >> there's a lot opeople who died here. not only here, out there, more places in gaza and palestine died kids are dying mothers crying for their kids who died >> we're live in the region with the very latest.

mask confusion after the cdc mandates changed many businesses and communities left uncertain how to proceed safely new california wildfires spreading fast, forcing evacuations and pushing toward downtown los angeles and the world has a new miss universe miss mexico, andrea mesa takes the crown over 73 other competitors. a busy monday ahead. "early today" starts right now >> good monday morning to you. i'm frances rivera >> and i'm phillip mena. we begin with that breaking news and the escalating violence between israel and the palestinians area strikes and rocket attacks continue after gaza reported its deadliest day yet. the united nations secretary general pleading for an end to the violence, saying the fighting could plunge the region into an uncontrollable crisis. nbc's raf sanchez joins us from beirut raf, good morning. what's the latest? >> phillip, frances, good morning.

israel carrying out massive strikes overnight, uses dozens of aircraft and aiming at hamas' underground tunnel network according to the israeli military as you said, one of the strikes went badly wrong yesterday, killing dozens of civilians in gaza city, including 16 women and 10 children. that death toll was rising all day yesterday as emergency crews pulled more and more bodies out of the rubble. i asked the israeli military what was the target here what were you aiming at? they said they were going after an underground hamas military facility and when that facility collapsed, civilian homes above it collapsed also. now the question under international law is even if this was a legitimate target, did its military significanc outweigh this massive loss of civilian life? now hamas continuing to fire rockets. the israeli military says that group and other militants have

fired more than 3,000 rockets towards israel over the last week but that rate of rocket fire slowing last night whether that is because hamas is running low on rockets or israel has significantly disrupted its battlefield capabilities, we don't yet know u.s. secretary of state tony blinken continuing to work the phones to other senior diplomats, including some of those key players in the middle east, egypt, qatar, who the world usually looks to broker ceasefires during these gaza conflicts. but guys, no sign of a ceasefire right now. >> still a highly contentious situation there, raf thank you for the update >> for more on how the united states and the united nations are responding to these clashes, here is nbc's kelly o'donnell. >> reporter: a push for diplomacy. the united nations security council called this virtual sunday session to urge a ceasefire, including the u.s.

ambassador >> with time ticking on the cycle of violence. >> reporter: on american television, prime minister benjamin netanyahu defended israel's strike on a gaza building that housed the associated press and other media outlets. he contends hamas intelligence used the same building. >> we took every precaution to make sure that there were no civilian injuries. >> reporter: netanyahu rebuffed pressure for an immediate ceasefire. >> we're trying to degrade hamas' terrorist abilities and to degrade their will to do this again. it will take some time i honey hope it won't take long, but it's not immediate >> reporter: demonstrators outside the israeli embassy in washington followed others around the country this week president biden and the played speaking to a virtual open answer of the muslim holy month of ramadan, promised to remain involved >> my administration is going to continue to engage palestinians and israelis and other regional partners to work towards

sustained calm. >> reporter: saturday from the oval office, the president made calls to netanyahu and the palestinian authority president mahmoud abbas. the president reinforced the u.s. bond with israel. >> israel has a right to defend itself when you have thousands of rockets flying into your territory. >> reporter: pressed about what proof israel has that hamas was using that same building where media outlets were housed in gaza, prime minister netanyahu says that israel shared with, quote, our american friends that intelligence, but he wouldn't say if he talked about it directly with president biden during their phone conversation. and the white house would not comment on whether it has seen any proof or received any specific intel from israel frances? >> kelly, thank you. cdc mask guidelines are causing some confusion across the country. businesses were left scrambling this weekend, having to decide whether or not to ease restrictions after the agency said fully vaccinated americans do not need to wear masks or

maintain social distancing if you're still unsure what to do, our blayne alexander helps break ite sidewalk, no mask andt feels great. >> reporter: from joy to concern. >> we still need to be a little bit cautious. >> reporter: to downright confusion. >> everyone is skeptic or a little bit scared. >> reporter: response is a mixed bag after cdc guidance saying that fully vaccinated americans can safely remove their masks both outdoors inside, not including planes or public transportation the cdc director defended the decision, there is no need for everybody to start ripping off their masks. what we're saying is now there that it's safe, work with your own speed and own family and businesses to remove them when necessary. >> reporter: she says the decision was driven by science and now will be the basis for future guidance. >> cdc is hard at work now saying what does this mean for schools, for travel, for camps, for businesses >> reporter: nationwide, just 37% of americans are fully

vaccinated, even as health experts continue to out to the benefits >> you become a dead-end to the virus. and when there are a lot of dead ends around, the virus is not going to go anywhere. >> reporter: starbucks joins a growing number of companies including walmart, costco and trader joes allowing fully vaccinated customers to drop the mask but at least 20 states still have a mandate in place, which takes precedence over business guidelines, leading to contentious showdowns like this. >> why aren't you letting me in? >> because in the state of california and the county of los angeles there has been -- >> costco. >> and costco, there has been no change >> yes there has been. >> not in the state of california. >> reporter: now the nation's largest nurse's union is condemning the guidance, saying it only puts more pressure on front-line workers. >> now they have to be the masking police not just are you wearing one, but are you vaccinated they don't want that extra harassment put on them >> reporter: and dr. walensky also talked about the

possibility of vaccine mandates. she was asked about that she said any mandates would not come from the federal level. those will be handled by local businesses or local leaders. but already we're hearing from at least one major company, delta airlines based here in atlanta says all future employee, all new hires would be required to be vaccinated. frances? >> thanks for the clarification. we turn to news out of alabama, where a shooting has left one person dead and four birping ham police officers injured. police say the incident happened when officers were responding to an earlier shooting at a apartment building that left a man and woman dead authorities say members of a tactical team were met with gunfire while attempting to execute a search warrant at an apartment. the suspect, who allegedly fired at the officers, was shot and killed all of the officers who were injure ready expected to recover. the white house is giving us an inside look at president biden's meeting with dreamers last week. mr. biden tweeted a photo of himself with six daca recipients in the oval office, saying these

young people are part of the fabric of our nation and vital to our future. the six dreamers work in health care, education, and agriculture and spoke about their experiences on the front lines of the pandemic. also it appears to be the first photo of mr. biden meeting with others in the oval office where everyone is unmasked after months of stalled negotiations, lawmakers will vote this week on a bill setting up a 9/11 probe into the january 6 insurrection democrats and republicans have pushed to set up the panel to lead the investigation the commission will be made up of ten members, five democrats and five republicans they will investigate the circumstances of the attack as well as what led to it the group will have subpoena power and issue a report at the end of the probe the former florida tax official whose criminal case led to a sex trafficking investigation into congressman matt gaetz is expected to plead guilty today in a copy of the plea agreements submitted on friday, joel greenberg said he will fully cooperate with federal

investigators. a juvenile will hold a hearing on the proposed deal today it's unclear what his cooperation will mean for the investigation into gaetz the congressman has not been charged with any crime, and has repeatedly denied wrongdoing an arizona roller coaster went from thrilling to chilling after stalling at about 20-feet high 22 riders were stuck at an angle right at the top it took phoenix firefighters more than two and a half hours to rescue each person safely at the castles and coasters theme park >> yikes let's check with nbc meteorologist janessa webb on this wednesday, see how it's looking out there. hey there, janessa, good morning. >> frances and phillip, good morning. good morning, everyone we do have the storm threat that is starting to return for the start of your workweek unfortunately, across the planes, two of the southern planes as well so stormy conditions already picking up across this area. this just in from the national weather service. the highest risk for storms this evening across texas all the way

into the dallas area central texas, we're really going to be watching for large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. these straight line winds are going to be damaging across this area all week long, we will bs start build across the deep south to texas. tampa lower 90s. it's time to activate the ac the heat's coming. we'll talk about when, coming up >> it's bound to happen. >> okay. thank you. she is ready to take on the world. there is a new miss universe congratulations are in order for mexico's andrea meza, who won the title of miss university 2020 she beat out three other kes in the 69th edition of the beauty

pageant, which was held in florida. miss brazil, and miss peru were crowned first and second runners up "early today" is back in two with a graduation ceremony over five decades in the making and why investigators now believe a massive wildfire near los angeles may have been arson. ? what if your clothes could stay fresh for weeks? now they can! downy unstopables in-wash scent boosters keep your laundry smelling fresh way longer than detergent alone. pour a cap of downy unstopables into your washing machine before each load and enjoy fresher smelling laundry. with 6 times the freshness ingredients, downy unstopables gives you more of what you love. if you want laundry to smell fresh for weeks make sure you have downy unstopables in-wash scent boosters. [ heavy breathing ] allergies with nasal congestion overwhelming you? breathe more freely with powerful claritin-d. claritin-d improves nasal airflow two times more than the leading allergy spray at hour one. [ deep inhale ] claritin-d. get more airflow.

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described as intellectually disabled $31 million each in compensatory damages that's one million for every year spent in prison the jury also awarded them $13 million in punitive damages. the two, who were released in 2014, spent decades behind bars after being wrongfully convict odd telephone 1983 rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl jackson state university assets class of 1970 finally got their diplomas and apologies from local and state officials for the bloodshed that canceled their graduation 51 years ago, police opened fire on a group of students during a protest on campus, killing two and injuring 12 others well, on saturday, 74 of the 400 plus graduates attended the ceremony in caps and gowns to receive their long overdue recognition. new allegations of misconduct surfacing against bill gates as hehigh profile die according to "the wall street journal," gates resigned from

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it's my great pleasure to share with you a sneak peek from a film that is the culmination of ten years of work and one of the great -- >> the mtv movie and tv awards are back in full swing and

slime. scarlett johansson accepted the iconic generation award getting slimed by her husband in the process. sasha borat cohen plus the late chadwick boseman was honored for best performance in a movie for ma rainey's black bottom "wandavision" won for best series and netflix all the boys always and forever won for best movie >> looked like a classic awards movie. bringing in the slime. >> and hopefully one of these days they'll all be in person. kobe bryant was inducted into the basketball hall of fame after a powerful speech from vanessa bryant >> you did it. you're in the hall of fame now you're a true champ. you're not just an mvp you're an all-time great i'm so proud of you. i love you forever and always.

kobe bryant. >> kobe's oldest daughter natalia put on the orange hall of fame jacket that kobe would have worn at the ceremony. the spurs legend tim duncan and former league mvp kevin garnett were also enshrined. and the hall announced its 2021 class forming chris bosh, ben wallace, and bill russell will be getting in as a coach 46 years after he was inducted as a player this is one of the strongest classes that i've ever seen. legended >> and the emotion there, weapon the tribute to kobe as well after everything that family and fans have been through when we return, janessa will have your forecast for the week ahead. plus, a powerful cyclone battering india this morning it's gentle on her skin, and out cleans our old free detergent. tide hygienic clean free. hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin.

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dawn powerwash now available in free & clear. we're back with the story of the power of friendship to help heal, and the boston police officer singing his heart out for a life-long friend kate snow joining us with more kate >> reporter: phillip, i was really lucky to meet this pair they've been friends since they were little kids, growing up in boston so when one of them got sick, the other did what he does best to cheer her up. ♪ country roads take you home ♪ >> reporter: boston police lieutenant loves to belt it out. ♪ you belong ♪

>> reporter: but this car karaoke wasn't just for fun. when his friend tina azmar was suddenly hospitalized with covid in early april, gary knew what he had to do. >> she is like my sister she is in the hospital she couldn't see anybody, couldn't see her family. and how could i cheer her up >> reporter: he started recording himself. ♪ i'm glad you are homeward bound ♪ >> hope you're doing all right today, honey a little something to make you smile, i hope. >> reporter: just to keep his friend going ♪ you lift me up ♪ >> reporter: gary, god bless him, called every day with a different song and you've soon his face it's adorable. and those notes that only he can hit really cheered me up and kept me going. >> reporter: every day, tina would wait for gary's videos >> it got to the point where the nurses were looking forward to

the song. >> reporter: the restaurant owner, wife and mother of two was on oxygen and so worried >> it's hard to be at half of what you were, especially when people refer to me and my family as the objection and to be delicate and fragile all of the sudden of just beyonn there for her since first grade. >> here it is 50 something years later. >> i think you stole my lunch in first grade. i think that's what happened ♪ wise men say ♪ >> when you got those videos, did they make you cry a little >> absolutely. i know what part of his heart those came from. >> reporter: tina is home now and recovering and what they can't wait for is playing music together again >> we have a little group. my husband plays piano gary plays the drums we all get together, have some cocktails and sing at the top of our lungs. >> it won't be long now. ♪ and i think to myself because you're home, tina, it's a

wonderful world ♪ >> her restaurant, santoro's is open for business now. she still has lingering symptoms of covid, but we are wishing her a full recovery. phillip? >> thanks. we are too what a greatto tina.

it was the deadliest weekend in years as the violence between israel and the palestinians escalated. with increased airstrikes and rocket attacks could a ceasefire still be days away right now, the data, the science shows us it is safe for vaccinated people to take off their masks. i promised to convey that to you when science knew it >> the director of cdc is trying to set the record straight on mask wearing as many businesses,

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