…And the World:

We begin today in Iraq, where a strategic city has fallen to ISIS. Despite gains against the radical extremist group, the city of Ramadi is now under their control. The move represents a grave setback for the countries new prime minister Haider al-Abadi. Those fleeing Ramadi are finding Baghdad to be problematic place as well.

An Egyptian court has sentenced Mohammed Morsi, the former president, to death.

Could a divide be opening up within the heart of the Opposition in the Knesset? Zionist Union/Labor head Isaac Herzog’s supporters are criticizing signals sent out by former Labor leader Shelley Yachimovich that she’ll support legislation from Netanyahu’s government with which she agrees.

From a Prime Minister reared in Canada’s oilfields, Stephen Harper commits to reign in his country’s emissions. However, the goals he outlined are behind even what the US’s commitment and have drawn jeers from environmentalists.

Still reeling from the disastrous result in this month’s UK elections, Labour party members are concerned the field to replace Ed Miliband is too small and thus debate is being stifled. So far frontbenchers Yvette Cooper and Andy Burnham are in the race, although another Labour MP seems primed to enter, too.

Anti-government Protesters in Macedonia took the streets over a wiretapping scandal.

The US looks to inject itself into negotiations with Russia over the fate of Ukraine.

The Feds:

Amtrak service between Philadelphia and New York is restored as the investigation continues. For a really in-depth look at last week’s deadly crash, read The Philadelphia Inquirer’s reconstruction of it.

Now entering the presidential fray: South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham announces run and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal opens exploratory committee. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, not yet a candidate, slams President Obama’s foreign policy, calls for a far more aggressive international posture and basically tells Edward Snowden to go to Hell.

In New Hampshire US Rep Frank Guinta faces an FEC violation for using his parents’ money (or his money that was in his parents’ account) for his 2010 race. The Union-Leader, Guinta’s hometown paper, and GOP Senator Kelley Ayotte—who may face a tough reelection next year—have called for his resignation. The FEC move is notable given how much campaign finance law has metastasized since Citizens United.

Elizabeth Warren is winning at the White House’s expense, but is doing so without become a liberal version of Ted Cruz.

US Rep Loretta Sanchez has entered the race for California’s open US Senate seat, becoming the second major Democrat in the race after California Attorney General Kamala Harris. Relatedly, Warren was the keynote at the state Democratic convention. She has endorsed Harris.

Elsewhere in the Golden State, The New York Times writes about how that state’s drought is a legacy of the current governor’s father, Pat Brown.

Connecticut House GOP leader Themis Klarides is hit with charges of hypocrisy.

The State of Things:

On Friday, a federal jury sentenced Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to death. The Times reports on Boston being uneasy with this result and The Globe talks to conflicted religious leaders. Our editorial against this verdict is here.

Massachusetts Democrats gather to discuss how to counter Gov. Charlie Baker and Republican efforts to challenge Dems even in cities. At the same time, “Mahty” is emerging as a statewide political figure. But Charlie is still spinning his wheels to a certain extent, lobbying for MBTA changes the senate has rejected.

Reminder Editor Mike Dobbs, evoking both Chicopee and Springfield but speaking generally of all towns, writes that elected leaders need to take residents’ side over businesses’ more often.

At sixes and sevens. Holyoke Ward 6 Councilor Todd McGee is running for the open Ward 7 seat.

Our review of Longmeadow’s redistricting vote last Monday.

The Fourth Estatements:

How do you preserve a dead newspaper, like, say The Boston Phoenix.

City Slickers:

As body and cruiser cameras enter the city’s election ether, the reality is that such overdue reforms will only be hashed out through the collective bargaining process (and funding).

The Reminder explores what an upcoming board vote within MGM’s parent company could mean for the casino project in downtown Springfield.

Mayor Domenic Sarno announces his reelection today at the Elks on Tiffany Street.

Liz Roman at The Republican writes about the Ward 6 Councilor campaign of Kim Rivera, mother to former councilor Amaad Rivera.

Twitter Chatter:

It was never meant to last long and yet it has endured more than 40 years. It has been called a sinkhole of money, but its existence and continuing investment in it ensure the Northeast exists as we know it. Last week’s crash that killed eight people in Philadelphia is a deep scar for Amtrak. While some have taken the opportunity to fetishize impractical privatization solutions, others have rallied to its defense. Despite the tragedy, the passenger railroad has persevered and is among the few that has embraced—if too slowly—technology that could prevent future such disasters. Today the Northeast Corridor, severed last week by the wreck, reopens. This blog supports Amtrak and thus today we award it the tweet prize.