Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered across Australia and New Zealand for dawn services and street marches to commemorate their war dead on Anzac Day.

U.S. officials say newly-approved legislation providing billions of dollars in funding for three strategically important Pacific island nations is an important sign of American commitment, which comes amid warnings China is actively trying to pry them away from Washington’s sphere of influence.

West Houston Assistance Ministries announced the launch of its THRIVE campaign. The organization hopes to raise $1.2M and be able to help 5,000 families in the next year.

Prime Minister Mark Brown said: “Every country in the world, at some stage, has had to deal with this matter of removing discriminatory laws that criminalize people. Our country is no exception.”

The Biden administration is nearing deals with two Pacific Island nations to extend their special ties with the United States, as U.S.-China rivalry for influence in the region heats up.

It’s hard enough for any school to get to a state baseball final, let alone a school in a city where prep baseball is an afterthought. But the improbable nature of Edison’s run goes even further than that.

TJ McMahon threw two late touchdown passes — including a 3-yarder to Cedric Patterson III with 61 seconds remaining — and Rice rallied for a 35-31 victory over Louisiana Tech. Rice led 14-10 at halftime, but JD Head connected with Smoke Harris for a 5-yard score to give Louisiana Tech a 17-14 lead midway through the third quarter.

Gavin Hardison threw for a career-high 366 yards, Ron Awatt ran for 119 yards and UTEP defeated Rice 38-28.

A celebration of life service will be held Saturday for a deputy with the Harris County Constable Precinct 5 who died in late July after contracting COVID-19. Precinct 5 Deputy Mark Brown, 53, passed away after a courageous battle against COVID-19, officials wrote in an statement. The service for Brown will take place at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, beginning at 10 a.m. Brown joined Precinct 5 in March 2017, serving as a patrol deputy in the departments Central District. Brown is survived by his wife, Michelle, and their four childrenThe service for Brown is one of two being held Saturday for Houston-area first responders who died after contracting COVID-19.

Here are things you need to know for Monday, July 27:1. Precinct 5 Deputy Mark Brown, 53, passed away last night after a courageous battle against COVID-19, officials wrote in an statement. Hundreds of Texas bar owners pledge defiance to Abbott orderHundreds of Texas bar owners say theyll defy Gov. Fort Worth bar owner Chris Polone has organized whats labeled as Freedom Fest, in which hundreds of bar owners say theyll open their doors and set em up Saturday. About 800 bar owners have promised participation, Polone told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, which could place their state liquor licenses in jeopardy.

A deputy with Harris County Constable Precinct 5 died Saturday after contracting COVID-19, the department announced. Precinct 5 Deputy Mark Brown, 53, passed away last night after a courageous battle against COVID-19, officials wrote in an statement. Brown joined Precinct 5 in March 2017, serving as a patrol deputy in the departments Central District. He became a uniformed investigative Deputy in the departments Special Operations Division in 2019. Mark Brown represented the very best of Precinct 5, said Constable Heap.