Amazon Prime Day is happening this week and will last for four days. This year, the event is influenced by the potential impact of tariffs announced by President Trump.
Key Facts
Amazon Prime Day takes place for four days this year.
The event offers shopping deals online through Amazon.
President Trump announced tariffs that might affect businesses.
Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods, which can raise costs.
The event reflects the current state of how businesses sell and how people shop.
The potential tariffs could influence prices of items sold on Amazon.
The article discusses the risks faced by Americans living in areas that often experience flooding. It features an interview with Chad Berginnis, who is an expert in managing flood risks.
Key Facts
Chad Berginnis is the executive director of the Association of State Floodplain Managers.
The discussion is about the dangers people face in regions that flood frequently.
Flood-prone areas are locations that have a high chance of flooding.
The article is from a segment on NPR's Morning Edition.
A Martinez conducted the interview with Chad Berginnis.
The audio of the interview will be available later on the same day.
The government provides support to people living in areas that flood often. This support includes financial help and programs designed to reduce flood damage and improve safety.
Key Facts
The government offers financial aid to people in flood-prone areas.
Programs are in place to help reduce damage from floods.
These efforts aim to make living in these areas safer.
Chad Berginnis from the Association of State Floodplain Managers provides insights into these efforts.
Government support includes both direct financial help and broader safety programs.
The State Department is looking into a situation where an artificial intelligence (AI) program created a fake voice of Marco Rubio, who is the Secretary of State. This fake voice sent messages to several foreign ministers and U.S. officials.
Key Facts
The State Department is conducting an investigation.
An AI-generated voice impersonated Marco Rubio.
Marco Rubio is the U.S. Secretary of State.
The fake voice sent messages to foreign ministers.
Residents of Kerr County reported that public alerts were not sent out consistently when floods occurred. Local officials have not provided details about how they used the alert system that has been in place since 2009.
Key Facts
Kerr County experienced floods on July 10, 2025.
Residents claim the public alert system was used inconsistently during the floods.
The alert system has been in place since 2009.
Local officials have not responded to questions about the alert system usage.
The timing and method of the alerts remain unclear.
Owners of oil and gas wells in the North Sea have been told they might face fines if they delay closing old wells. There are more than 500 wells waiting to be plugged, and the cost of this work is shared between private companies and taxpayers. Delays could increase costs significantly, and some companies may look for work outside the North Sea.
Key Facts
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) warned operators about fines for delaying well decommissioning.
There are over 500 wells in the North Sea that need to be decommissioned.
The estimated cost for plugging these wells is £41 billion.
Delays could add an extra £4 billion to the cost.
Only 103 wells reached the final decommissioning stage in 2024.
More than 1,000 additional wells could need decommissioning by the end of the decade if the backlog isn't addressed.
The NSTA is concerned that delays might lead some companies to move their rigs abroad.
The industry body, Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), cited "policy instability" as a barrier to progress.
Heavy flooding in central Texas has left over 100 people dead, and more than 160 people are still missing. Satellite images from July 8 show significant damage along the Guadalupe River near Hunt and Kerrville, Texas. Volunteers from the U.S. and Mexico are helping in search and rescue efforts.
Key Facts
Over 100 people died in the central Texas floods.
More than 160 people are still missing due to the floods.
Satellite images taken on July 8 show damage along the Guadalupe River.
The affected areas include Hunt and Kerrville, Texas.
Flood debris, downed trees, and damaged homes are visible in the images.
Volunteers from the U.S. and Mexico are helping local responders with rescue efforts.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott says crews will continue searching until all missing people are found.
Cierra Ortega, a former contestant from the TV show Love Island USA, apologized for past social media posts that used a slur against Asians. She was removed from the show after the old posts resurfaced, and she has since faced online harassment. Ortega expressed regret, saying she learned about the offensive term and supported the show's decision to remove her.
Key Facts
Cierra Ortega was a contestant on Love Island USA.
She was removed from the show for using a derogatory term for Asians in an old social media post.
Ortega apologized in a video, saying she deleted the post once she learned it was offensive.
She and her family have faced online harassment, including threats and calls to immigration authorities.
Ortega agreed with the decision to remove her from the show and addressed false claims about her actions.
Another contestant, Yulissa Escobar, also left the show after a similar incident from a past podcast surfaced.
Love Island USA is popular on Peacock, NBC's streaming service, leading to increased online harassment of contestants.
The show aired a statement urging viewers to stop the harassment.
A section of an industrial tunnel in Los Angeles partially collapsed, but all 31 workers inside escaped safely. The collapse happened as part of a $700 million project to build a tunnel that carries treated wastewater to the Pacific Ocean. Investigations are ongoing to find the cause of the collapse.
Key Facts
31 workers were inside a tunnel in Los Angeles when it partially collapsed.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, July 9, 2025.
The tunnel is part of a $700 million project to move treated wastewater to the ocean.
The collapse happened about 5 miles from the tunnel's entrance.
The workers were about 400 feet underground and escaped without major injuries.
Workers climbed over loose soil and were brought out using a crane.
Authorities are investigating what caused the collapse.
Work in the tunnel will not start again until safety assessments are done.
Former CIA director John Brennan and ex-FBI chief James Comey are reportedly under FBI investigation for potential wrongdoing related to the 2016 Trump campaign’s Russia connections. President Trump said he considers both men dishonest and suggested they might face consequences.
Key Facts
Reports suggest Brennan and Comey are under FBI investigation for potential misconduct tied to the 2016 election.
President Trump stated he believes Brennan and Comey are dishonest and may need to "pay a price."
The FBI has not commented on the investigation.
The Department of Justice did not respond to requests for comment.
John Brennan claimed the investigation is politically motivated and threatens the integrity of the intelligence community.
James Comey did not comment publicly on the reports.
A 2019 report found Russian interference in the 2016 election but did not prove Trump's team coordinated with Russia.
Severe floods hit New Mexico and Texas recently. In New Mexico, three people died, but preparation helped the village recover quickly. In Texas, unexpected flooding killed at least 119 people due to massive rainfall and lack of preparation.
Key Facts
In Ruidoso, New Mexico, three people died in the floods, including two children.
The village was prepared for floods with plans and experts ready.
In Texas, the flood killed at least 119 people and took the state by surprise.
In Ruidoso, up to 3.5 inches of rain caused the river level to rise over 20 feet.
Wildfires last year in Ruidoso left soil that does not absorb water, increasing flood risks.
Texas experienced a sudden rise in the Guadalupe River, rising 26 feet in 45 minutes.
The massive rainfall in Texas was more than the daily flow over Niagara Falls.
Questions remain about the adequacy of flood warnings and evacuation efforts in Texas.
Shares of WK Kellogg, which makes cereals like Fruit Loops and Corn Flakes, jumped more than 50% after reports that the Italian candy company Ferrero might buy it for about $3 billion. Both firms did not comment on the reports, which suggest a deal could be finalized soon.
Key Facts
WK Kellogg makes popular cereals such as Fruit Loops and Corn Flakes.
Ferrero is the potential buyer and is known for products like Ferrero Rocher and Kinder.
The possible deal could be worth around $3 billion.
After the news, WK Kellogg's shares increased by more than 50% in after-hours trading.
Kellogg has struggled financially even after refocusing on breakfast cereals in 2023.
Food companies face challenges as consumers prefer healthier foods.
Legislation has pressured firms like Kellogg to remove synthetic colors from products like Fruit Loops.
Kellogg plans to remove these colors from school cereals by the 2026-27 school year.
The U.S. announced sanctions against Francesca Albanese, a United Nations investigator examining human rights issues in the Palestinian territories. This move comes as she has criticized Israel's actions in Gaza and advocated for international pressure against these actions.
Key Facts
The U.S. imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, a U.N. special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza.
Francesca Albanese is an Italian human rights lawyer examining human rights in Palestinian territories.
Albanese has accused Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza, which both Israel and the U.S. deny.
Earlier, the U.S. tried to have her removed from her U.N. position but did not succeed.
The U.S. does not currently participate in the U.N. Human Rights Council due to a previous withdrawal.
Albanese has called for international sanctions against Israel over its actions in Gaza.
She supports the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants against Israeli officials for alleged war crimes.
Her recent report criticizes U.S. companies allegedly supporting Israel's actions in Gaza through various industries.
New data shows that more buildings at Camp Mystic are at risk of flooding than FEMA's maps indicate. The findings reveal that FEMA's maps may underestimate flood risks across the U.S., affecting many homeowners who are not aware of their vulnerability to floods.
Key Facts
A new analysis found at least 17 buildings at Camp Mystic in Texas are at risk of flooding.
FEMA's maps showed fewer buildings in danger compared to this new analysis.
At least four camper cabins were in an extreme flood hazard area, according to FEMA.
FEMA's maps mainly use data from coastal and river flooding, not accounting for heavy rainfall and flash floods.
More than twice as many Americans might live in flood-prone areas than FEMA's data suggests.
FEMA lacks the authority and funding from Congress to update maps effectively.
Special interest groups, like home developers, have lobbied against stricter flood regulations.
In a specific area along the Guadalupe River, more homes were at risk of flooding than FEMA identified.
President Donald Trump met with Liberian President Joseph Boakai and praised his English skills during a meeting with African leaders at the White House. Trump was unaware that English is Liberia's official language, and Liberia was founded by freed American slaves.
Key Facts
President Trump met Liberian President Joseph Boakai at the White House.
During the meeting, Trump complimented Boakai's English-speaking skills.
Trump asked Boakai where he learned English, not knowing it's Liberia’s official language.
Liberia is Africa’s oldest republic, founded in 1822.
The country was established by freed American slaves for resettling free black people in Africa.
Some members of the U.S. Congress wrote a letter to Canada, expressing concern about smoke from Canadian wildfires affecting air quality in the U.S. Canada confirmed receipt of the letter and said it is serious about managing and preventing wildfires. Canadian wildfires have been extensive, causing evacuations and air quality issues both in Canada and the U.S.
Key Facts
U.S. lawmakers sent a letter to Canada's embassy about wildfire smoke affecting U.S. air quality.
The letter was signed by six U.S. Congress members from Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Canada reported that it received the letter and will respond after reviewing it.
Two people have died in Canadian wildfires this year, with tens of thousands evacuated.
In 2023, Canada had its worst recorded wildfire year, with significant destruction.
Most Canadian wildfires are caused by lightning, but lawmakers also mentioned forest management issues.
Scientists connect the increasing number of wildfires to climate change.
Canada has been warming faster than the global average, affecting its climate and wildfire frequency.
Heavy floods in Texas Hill Country led to at least 110 deaths, including 27 at Camp Mystic, a girls' camp by the Guadalupe River. The region experienced flash flooding due to thin soil and limestone, causing rapid water rise. Despite known risks and adequate local weather staffing, recent government job cuts prompted concerns about the effectiveness of warnings.
Key Facts
At least 110 people died in the floods, with 27 deaths at Camp Mystic.
Camp Mystic faced significant damage as 2.4 meters of water flooded cabins.
Flash flooding is common in this region due to its terrain, which doesn’t absorb water well.
The floods were caused by heavy rainfall following Tropical Storm Barry.
There have been past floods in the area, including in 1978, 1987, and 2002.
Concerns arose over the impact of earlier job cuts at the National Weather Service.
Local NWS offices had more staff than usual during the flood, issuing warnings in advance.
Criticism of government efficiency cuts was highlighted by Senator Chris Murphy.
Arpineh Masihi, a long-time supporter of Donald Trump, is detained as an illegal immigrant in California while her family remains hopeful she won't be deported. Masihi, originally from Iran, was convicted of crimes in 2008 but stayed in the U.S. due to her Christian background. Her family still believes in Trump's deportation policies, expecting only dangerous criminals to be deported.
Key Facts
Arpineh Masihi is detained in an immigrant detention center in California as an illegal immigrant.
Despite her detention, Masihi supports Donald Trump's deportation plans.
Masihi's family lives in Diamond Bar, Los Angeles County, with a visible display of support for Trump.
She was convicted of burglary and grand theft in 2008 and lost her Green Card.
Due to her Christian Armenian Iranian background, she was allowed to stay in the U.S. instead of being deported.
Masihi rebuilt her life after her conviction, starting a business and a family.
Her family maintains faith in the immigration system, expecting only serious criminals to be deported.
ICE did not comment on Masihi's case, and her husband is unaware of the details of her past crimes.
The U.S. has restarted sending weapons to Ukraine, including precision-guided rockets and artillery, after a brief pause ordered by the Pentagon. President Trump expressed frustration over the pause, which was meant to evaluate U.S. weapons stockpiles, and confirmed that defensive weapons will continue to be sent to Ukraine.
Key Facts
The U.S. resumed sending weapons to Ukraine after a temporary pause.
Weapons being sent include 155 mm ammunition and precision-guided rockets called GMLRS.
The pause in shipments was meant to assess the U.S. weapons stockpile.
The Pentagon's decision to pause caught some officials by surprise, including President Trump, who was not fully aware of the decision.
Trump stated that he would know if such a decision was made, emphasizing he hadn't ordered the pause.
The U.S. provides Ukraine with defensive weapons amidst ongoing conflicts with Russia.
Since February 2022, over 3 million rounds of 155 mm artillery have been sent to Ukraine.
The U.S. has sent over $67 billion in military help to Ukraine since the start of the conflict with Russia.
Philadelphia reached a tentative deal with 9,000 city workers to end their strike. The workers include sanitation staff and 911 dispatchers, who were striking for higher pay.
Key Facts
Nine thousand city workers went on strike in Philadelphia.
The strike was for higher pay.
Workers involved include sanitation staff and 911 dispatchers.
A tentative agreement has been reached to end the strike.
