Daily Briefing - 7/20/2017 - a podcast by BNO News

Here's a quick look at the most important news of the last 24 hours.

* U.S. Senator John McCain has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. The tumor was discovered after the 80-year-old senator underwent surgery to remove a blood clot near his left eye. His doctors are reviewing treatment options, which may include a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.

* President Donald Trump says he would not have nominated U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions if he knew he would recuse himself from the Russia investigation. "It's extremely unfair - and that's a mild word - to the president," he told the New York Times. There was no immediate response from Sessions.

* The number of Americans without health insurance would increase by 17 million in 2018 or 27 million by 2020 if Republicans approve a bill to repeal Obamacare, according to the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Average premiums for individuals would increase by 25% in 2018 or 50% by 2020.

* President Trump has decided to end the CIA's covert program to arm and train Syrian rebels in their fight against the government of President Bashar al-Assad, the Washington Post reports.

* A Saudi woman who was arrested for wearing a miniskirt in public has been released without charge and the case has been closed, officials say. The young woman told police that a video which showed her walking on an empty street had been posted online without her knowledge.

* Uruguay has become the first country in the world to legalize the production and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Customers will be required to sign up to a national registry and provide fingerprints, which allows them to buy up to 40 grams (1.41 ounces) a month. Other countries such as the Netherlands already tolerate small quantities of marijuana, but Uruguay is the first to formally legalize the production, sale and possession.

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