Federal regulators allowed Camp Mystic's buildings to be removed from a high-risk flood map, despite its location in a flood-prone area. This decision lessened oversight, and when severe flooding occurred, it resulted in the loss of campers and counselors, with significant damages.
Key Facts
FEMA once included Camp Mystic in a high-risk flood area map in 2011, requiring flood insurance and stricter building regulations.
A 100-year flood refers to a flood with a 1% chance of happening each year.
The camp lost lives and suffered damage during a severe flood on July 4.
FEMA amended the flood map in 2013 and later years to remove several camp buildings from the hazard area.
Removing buildings from the flood map made it easier for the camp to avoid insurance requirements and build or renovate structures more cheaply.
Experts say the camp's risk was known, with several structures in high-risk flood zones.
Critics argue that changing the map was questionable as it compromised safety.
A German backpacker named Carolina Wilga was found after being lost for 11 nights in Australia's outback. She survived by drinking from puddles and sleeping in a cave until a driver spotted her, and she was airlifted to a hospital.
Key Facts
Carolina Wilga, a 26-year-old from Germany, got lost in Western Australia's outback for 11 nights.
She stayed alive by drinking rainwater and puddles, and by sleeping in a cave.
Police say she walked 24km (15 miles) away from her van after it got stuck in the bush.
Ms. Wilga suffered from exhaustion, dehydration, insect bites, and a foot injury.
A driver found Ms. Wilga, who was then airlifted to a hospital in Perth.
Her abandoned van was discovered by police in dense bushland near Beacon, Western Australia.
Ms. Wilga had lost control of her van, which wasn't working and got stuck.
Families of those who died in the Air India crash last month are seeking answers. A preliminary report stated the fuel was cut off seconds after take-off but did not explain why. Families hope for more details as the investigation continues.
Key Facts
The Air India flight crashed in Ahmedabad, India, shortly after take-off on June 12.
The crash killed 241 out of 242 passengers on board, and 19 people on the ground.
A preliminary report was released, explaining that the fuel to the plane’s engines was cut off seconds after take-off.
The report included cockpit voice recordings where pilots were heard discussing the fuel cut-off.
The cause of the fuel cut-off remains unclear, and a final report is expected in 12 months.
Families of the victims are frustrated by the lack of clarity and seek more detailed answers.
A review found that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) removed dozens of buildings at Camp Mystic from a 100-year flood map after the camp appealed multiple times. This allowed Camp Mystic to expand with less regulation before a severe flood hit, which resulted in the deaths of campers and counselors.
Key Facts
Camp Mystic is a girls' summer camp located in a flood-prone area along the Guadalupe River in Texas.
FEMA originally included Camp Mystic in a high-risk flood zone map in 2011, requiring flood insurance and stricter building regulations.
Camp Mystic appealed to FEMA, and in 2013, 15 buildings were removed from the flood map.
Further appeals led to the removal of 15 additional buildings from the map in 2019 and 2020.
A severe flood in July 2025 struck Camp Mystic, resulting in at least 27 deaths and significant damage.
Experts say the flood was more severe than anticipated for a 100-year flood event, moving quickly without a warning system.
Some believe the camp's appeals to change the flood map were aimed at avoiding insurance costs and easing future construction regulations.
Despite map changes, some camp structures remained in high-risk flood areas at the time of the flood.
Mining for rare earth metals in Myanmar is contaminating rivers in Thailand, causing unsafe water conditions. Tests show high arsenic levels in these rivers, affecting local residents and the environment.
Key Facts
Rare earth metal mining is happening in Myanmar, close to the Thailand border.
The Kok River in Thailand shows arsenic levels four times higher than WHO safety limits.
Local people have developed skin rashes after using water from the river.
Water pollution is linked to unregulated mining for rare earth metals and gold.
The polluted water is unsafe for drinking, farming, and washing.
Nearby rivers like the Sai and Ruak are also contaminated.
Myanmar's civil war has worsened the mining and pollution situation.
The contamination extends into the Mekong River, impacting a large region.
The owner of a luxury penthouse in London, Alan Hodson, is involved in a legal dispute with companies owned by the late Mohamed Al Fayed's family. The argument began over a lift installation agreement and now includes issues like leaky roofs and noise complaints about the lift.
Key Facts
Alan and Rosaleen Hodson own the penthouse located at 55 Park Lane, central London.
The legal dispute has lasted eight years and involves claims about building maintenance issues.
The building, Hyde Park Residence, is owned by Mohamed Al Fayed's family through a company named Prestige Properties.
The disagreement started over a legal agreement related to a lift installed more than 20 years ago.
Mohamed Al Fayed was known for using legal actions to settle conflicts.
Lawyers for both sides have not publicly commented on the case.
The building is in a prestigious area but reportedly has signs of neglect like peeling paint.
The freeholder of the building is the Grosvenor Estate, and Prestige Properties has a long-term lease, which is a time-limited form of ownership.
A federal judge in New York has decided that a lawsuit by two voice-over artists against an AI voice company, Lovo Inc., can proceed. The lawsuit claims that Lovo used the artists' voices without permission for their AI training, although the judge dismissed the claim regarding federal copyright law.
Key Facts
Two voice-over artists, Paul Skye Lehrman and Linnea Sage, have filed a lawsuit against Lovo Inc., an AI voice company.
The artists allege their voices were used without permission in an AI product.
A judge has allowed the breach of contract and deceptive business practices claims to go forward, but dismissed the federal copyright claim.
Lovo Inc. requested the case be dismissed, but the judge has allowed part of it to continue.
The artists claim Lovo employees contacted them for work under false pretenses on the freelance site Fiverr.
Lehrman and Sage heard clones of their voices in AI-generated content without their consent.
The alleged cloned voices were later used for content on Lovo's platform but have since been removed.
The Vysehrad railway bridge in Prague, which is 123 years old, might be replaced with a new bridge because it cannot handle an increase in rail traffic. Some experts and residents believe the bridge should be restored instead of replaced, arguing it is an important historical landmark and can be repaired.
Key Facts
The Vysehrad railway bridge is 123 years old and an important part of Prague's skyline.
The Czech Railway Authority plans to replace the bridge to handle more rail traffic.
Experts from the Vysehrad Bridge Foundation argue only 15% of the bridge's steel needs replacing.
Unesco supports the idea of restoring the bridge instead of replacing it.
Over 25,000 residents signed a petition to save the bridge.
The new bridge would add a third track and improve transport links.
The old bridge might be moved and used for pedestrians and cyclists in a different location.
The Tech Now program covers the latest sports technology innovations, including artificial intelligence in boxing, the Esports World Cup, and various advancements like e-bikes and biomechanics in Paralympic sports. These technologies aim to enhance sports experiences and performances.
Key Facts
The Esports World Cup is highlighted as a major event in the Tech Now program.
Artificial intelligence is being used in the sport of boxing to improve training and performance.
E-bikes, or electric bicycles, are discussed as a new development in sports.
Paralympic wheelchair fencers are using biomechanics to assist in their training and competition.
The show covers a range of topics, from esports to advancements in technology for sports.
The episode is available to watch for 11 months starting from July 12, 2025.
Scientists are concerned about a strong heatwave in the Mediterranean Sea, where water temperatures passed 30°C off the coast of Majorca, which is higher than usual. This extreme heat may harm marine life because warmer water helps harmful bacteria and algae grow, and many sea creatures struggle to cope with rising temperatures.
Key Facts
The sea surface in the Mediterranean reached over 30°C in late June and early July 2023.
These temperatures are 6-7°C higher than the normal levels for this time of year.
Marine heatwaves are getting worse due to climate change, which traps more heat in the ocean.
The Mediterranean is especially at risk because it is surrounded by land, making it similar to a bathtub that heats up quickly.
Warmer water can spread harmful bacteria and algae, unlike controlled swimming pools that use cleaning chemicals.
Higher sea temperatures can stress marine life, possibly leading to fish population declines.
Scientists warn that these types of heatwaves are likely to occur more frequently in the future.
Two recent reports highlight financial challenges the UK is facing. One shows a drop in monthly UK growth, while another warns about long-term risks like increasing government debt. These reports suggest that the UK may need to raise taxes to handle future economic pressures.
Key Facts
The UK economy, measured by GDP, fell in May.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) warns UK debt could reach three times the size of its economy in the future.
The UK has high debt compared to other advanced economies, ranking sixth highest.
The government reversed decisions on welfare savings and winter fuel payments recently.
Local councils spend a large part of their budgets, up to 80%, on social care.
Increasing defense spending to meet NATO targets will cost around £40 billion per year by 2035.
The UK government might need to raise taxes by £10 billion to £20 billion in the autumn Budget.
Recent global changes, like US trade policies, have raised UK borrowing costs.
A flight from Cancun to London had to make an emergency landing in Maine after two passengers started fighting. All 267 passengers had to stay overnight in Bangor, Maine, as the airline arranged a new crew. The two passengers involved in the altercation were sent back to their home countries on different flights.
Key Facts
The incident occurred on a flight from Cancun, Mexico, to London.
The emergency landing took place in Bangor, Maine, around 21:30 EST on Tuesday.
The flight was operated by TUI, a British airline, using a 787 Dreamliner plane.
The crew could not continue the flight immediately because they needed to rest due to work hour limits.
The plane took off the next day at 15:00 EST after a new crew arrived.
No criminal charges were filed against the two passengers.
US Customs and Border Protection processed the passengers for immediate removal from the US.
The plane eventually arrived safely at Gatwick Airport in London.
A preliminary report on the Air India crash in June revealed that both fuel control switches, which are used to turn off the engines, were moved to the cut-off position. BBC's correspondent Theo Leggett explained that moving these switches involves a two-step process.
Key Facts
A preliminary report investigated the Air India crash in June.
The report found that both engine fuel control switches were moved to the cut-off position.
The fuel control switches are used to turn the engines off.
Moving these switches involves a two-step process.
BBC's Theo Leggett provided insights on the role of these switches.
A preliminary report on an Air India plane crash that happened after takeoff suggests that the engines' fuel switches were moved to the "cutoff" position shortly before the crash, causing the plane to lose thrust. The crash, which took place on June 12 in Ahmedabad, India, resulted in the deaths of 260 people, including those on the ground.
Key Facts
The Air India flight's fuel switches were moved from "run" to "cutoff" just seconds after takeoff.
The crash occurred on June 12 in Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, including 19 on the ground.
The report comes from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
The report does not explain why the fuel switches were moved to "cutoff".
One pilot questioned the other about the fuel switch change, which was captured in the cockpit voice recorder.
The report did not assign blame or conclude the reasons for the switch change.
A U.S. aviation expert noted that it is difficult to accidentally move the fuel switches.
The only survivor of the crash was a passenger named Viswashkumar Ramesh.
The investigation is ongoing, and no action has been recommended for Boeing 787 operators at this point.
Lawmakers in Cambodia changed the constitution so that the government can take away citizenship from people they believe have worked with foreign powers. This amendment was approved unanimously and has raised concerns, as some fear it could be misused against political opponents.
Key Facts
Cambodia's National Assembly changed the constitution to allow for taking away citizenship.
The change lets the government strip citizenship from those thought to have collaborated with foreign countries.
All 125 lawmakers in the assembly approved the amendment.
The Justice Minister said they would quickly introduce a law to support this change.
Previously, Cambodian citizens could only lose citizenship through "mutual agreement."
Amnesty International and other groups are worried the law could be used to target critics of the government.
The amendment follows pressure from former leader Hun Sen after opposition figures criticized the government over border issues with Thailand.
NPR’s Planet Money explored garment manufacturing in the U.S. by following the production of a simple sports bra made in a Los Angeles factory. The episode looked at how many people were involved, the wages they earned, and discussed the current state and future of the domestic garment industry.
Key Facts
The episode focused on a garment factory located in Los Angeles.
It explored the process of making a basic purple sports bra in the U.S.
The report examined how many workers were needed to make the sports bra.
It discussed the wages that these garment workers received.
The program considered if Americans are interested in working in garment manufacturing.
It looked at the reasons why garment manufacturing exists in the United States.
The episode questioned whether the garment industry can expand domestically.
Planet Money encourages listeners to support the show through subscriptions.
Amanda Anisimova, an American tennis player, is set to compete in her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon against Iga Swiatek. After a career break for mental health reasons, she has made a comeback and could become the first U.S. woman to win Wimbledon since 2016.
Key Facts
Amanda Anisimova is playing in the Wimbledon final after taking a break from tennis.
She stepped away from the sport to focus on her mental health due to stress and homesickness.
Anisimova was a tennis prodigy at 17, reaching the 2019 French Open semifinals.
After personal struggles and her father's death, she decided to prioritize her mental well-being.
She resumed training in the fall of 2023 after several months off.
Anisimova could become the first American woman to win Wimbledon since Serena Williams in 2016.
Thousands of people gathered in Bosnia and Herzegovina to remember the Srebrenica massacre, marking its 30th anniversary. Seven victims, whose remains were found recently, were buried during the event. The massacre, part of the Bosnian War, involved the killing of over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys by Bosnian Serb forces in 1995.
Key Facts
The event took place in a valley with many white gravestones in Potocari, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Srebrenica massacre occurred in July 1995 during the Bosnian War.
At least 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed by Bosnian Serb forces.
The massacre happened in Srebrenica, a place designated as a safe zone by the United Nations.
The remains of the victims buried recently were discovered in various mass graves.
Extensive DNA analysis helped identify the victims for the recent burials.
More than 6,000 victims have been buried at the memorial site, but over 1,000 are still missing.
In 2007, the International Court of Justice ruled that the events in Srebrenica were a genocide.
Martin Lewis shares a method for negotiating better deals when speaking with a call center. The approach is designed to help people save money on personal finance matters.
Key Facts
Martin Lewis is known for providing personal finance advice.
He suggests a strategy for negotiating with call centers to get better deals.
This advice is shared in a podcast episode available on BBC Sounds.
The goal of the strategy is to help people save money.
The strategy is especially relevant for handling personal finance issues.
President Donald Trump announced that the United States will increase tariffs on Canadian goods to 35%, despite Canada dropping its planned digital tax under U.S. pressure. Trump has sent notices to several countries about these increased tariffs, which will start on August 1 unless new trade agreements are made.
Key Facts
Trump announced a 35% tariff on Canadian goods, up from the previous 25%.
Canada agreed to cancel a digital services tax that would have affected U.S. technology companies.
Tariffs will begin on August 1 unless new trade deals are reached.
Canada is the U.S.'s second-largest trading partner, after Mexico.
The U.S. claims Canada is not doing enough to stop the flow of fentanyl, an addictive drug, into the U.S.
Canada exports items like oil, cars, and industrial machinery to the U.S.
Trump imposed separate tariffs on steel, aluminum, and car parts globally.
Canada has a $63.3 billion trade surplus with the U.S.
