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.
A series of earthquakes and aftershocks in Guatemala caused four deaths and significant property damage. The quakes, starting on Tuesday, led to landslides, blocked roads, and forced some people to sleep outside due to safety concerns.
Key Facts
More than 150 earthquakes and aftershocks have occurred in Guatemala since Tuesday.
The earthquakes ranged in magnitude from 3.0 to 5.7.
Four people have died, including a woman, her dog, a 13-year-old boy, and two men in a truck.
Landslides and fallen rocks blocked roads, causing safety hazards.
Many homes were damaged, and some families stayed outside due to fear of further tremors.
The epicenter of the main quake was in Sacatepéquez, with aftershocks in Escuintla and Guatemala department.
The tremors were also felt in neighboring El Salvador.
A security camera in Ruidoso, New Mexico, filmed floodwaters rushing into a store due to heavy rains that caused flash flooding. The flooding in the state led to the deaths of three people, including two children.
Key Facts
A security camera captured floodwaters entering The Ruidoso Trading Post in New Mexico.
Heavy rains resulted in flash flooding in the area.
The flooding killed three people: an adult man, a 4-year-old girl, and a 7-year-old boy.
The incident took place in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Flash flooding occurs when heavy rain causes water levels to rise quickly, leading to rapid and unexpected floods.
Over 160 people are still missing after severe floods in central Texas. At least 119 people have died, and the number is expected to rise as search teams keep working.
Key Facts
More than 160 people remain unaccounted for after floods in central Texas.
At least 119 people have died because of the floods.
Officials believe that the number of deaths will likely increase.
Search crews are actively looking for missing people.
Congress recently passed a major budget act introduced by Republicans. Many people are still unsure about what the law includes and how it might impact their daily lives.
Key Facts
Congress passed a significant budget act proposed by Republicans.
The law is nearly 900 pages long.
Many Americans are unclear about the details of the budget act.
Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reviewed the full document.
Lisa Desjardins discussed her findings with Amna Nawaz to clarify the law's contents.
Democratic Party officials see a new bill related to social spending as an opportunity. However, they are also dealing with challenges like upcoming elections and some members feeling not enough is being done to oppose President Trump.
Key Facts
Democratic Party officials believe the new bill about social spending could help them politically.
They hope voters will not like the cuts to social spending.
The party is preparing for midterm elections.
Republicans currently hold significant control, known as a trifecta, which means they control the presidency, the House, and the Senate.
Some Democratic Party members are questioning if their leaders are effectively opposing President Trump.
DNC Chair Ken Martin discussed the future direction of the party.
A US Department of State official waived counterterrorism and anti-fraud safeguards to quickly approve a $30 million award to a Gaza aid group called GHF. The approval process attracted attention because experts highlighted unmet technical standards, and there were reports of violence linked to the aid sites.
Key Facts
A State Department official waived nine safety checks to approve a $30 million fund for the Gaza aid group, GHF.
The approval happened only five days after the group applied for the funds.
Internal assessors noted that the funding plan did not meet some required standards.
There were 58 objections from USAID staff that were bypassed.
The GHF coordinates closely with the Israeli military, and reports highlight violence near its aid sites.
The funds were approved under a rule for quick response to emergencies.
GHF claims its operations are safeguarded against waste and fraud.
Gaza's Health Ministry reports 743 Palestinians have been killed near GHF aid sites.
The Post Office scandal affected many families whose members were wrongly accused of stealing money due to faulty software. Children of these families faced bullying, mental health issues, and disruptions in their education. The government is creating a compensation plan for family members who suffered because of the scandal.
Key Facts
Millie Castleton was eight when her father, a post office manager, was wrongly accused of theft, leading to severe personal and family struggles.
A report highlights the impact on families, including financial hardship and social stigma, due to the Post Office's accusations.
Faulty software in the Post Office system falsely showed financial discrepancies, wrongly suggesting money was missing.
Many children, like Millie, faced bullying, mental health problems, and educational disruptions because of these accusations.
The inquiry report showcased similar stories from other families across the UK who faced social exclusion and mental health issues.
The government plans to compensate family members who experienced negative effects because of the scandal, though details are not yet available.
Rebekah Foot started a charity, Lost Chances, to support affected children, and many have joined seeking acknowledgment and support.
The charity advocates for faster compensation to avoid lengthy waits experienced by the parents involved in the original cases.
Many Americans are looking for ways to bridge divisions and rebuild trust in their communities. A program in Rhode Island aims to mend these divides by fostering personal relationships.
Key Facts
Political divisions exist in many parts of the United States.
People are interested in overcoming community divisions and distrust.
A program in Rhode Island is focused on rebuilding trust among people.
The program works by fostering one-on-one relationships.
Journalist Judy Woodruff visited Rhode Island for her series called America at a Crossroads.
President Trump announced a 50% tariff on all Brazilian goods entering the United States starting August 1. The tariff intends to address political issues in Brazil, specifically what Trump describes as injustices against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently on trial for alleged coup attempts.
Key Facts
Trump plans to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian products entering the U.S. beginning August 1.
This move is a break from his usual tariff communications, which focus on trade imbalances.
The tariff aims to address what Trump perceives as unfair treatment of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro is on trial for allegedly planning a coup after losing the 2022 election.
Trump previously announced a global tariff range of 10% to 50% on April 2, with a pause set until July 9.
This proposed tariff for Brazil is larger than the initial 10% rate announced in April.
Brazil, part of the BRICS group, has criticized Trump’s tariff threats, calling for respect for national sovereignty.
Dr. Kevin O'Connor, former President Joe Biden's physician, chose not to testify in a Republican-led investigation into Biden's mental fitness, citing medical confidentiality and his right against self-incrimination. The House Oversight Committee, led by Republicans, is looking into claims of Biden's alleged cognitive decline during his presidency.
Key Facts
Dr. Kevin O'Connor was President Joe Biden’s doctor for all four years of his presidency.
O'Connor declined to testify before the House Oversight Committee as part of an investigation led by Republicans.
He cited physician-patient privilege and the Fifth Amendment, which allows a person to avoid self-incrimination.
The committee is probing claims of a "cover-up" of Biden's alleged mental decline during his presidency.
O'Connor's attorneys argued that testifying could breach medical confidentiality and risk his medical license.
The committee also seeks testimony from other former Biden officials.
Biden has publicly denied claims of cognitive decline, calling them false.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Bryan Bedford as the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by a 53-43 vote. Bryan Bedford, previously the CEO of Republic Airways, faced opposition from Democrats and flight safety advocates due to his stance on pilot training requirements but received strong support from industry leaders and Republicans.
Key Facts
Bryan Bedford was confirmed to lead the FAA by the U.S. Senate with a 53-43 vote.
Bedford has been the CEO of Republic Airways since 1999.
Republicans and industry leaders support Bedford, praising his experience.
Democrats and safety advocates are concerned about Bedford's lack of support for the 1,500-hour pilot training rule.
The 1,500-hour training rule was implemented after a 2009 crash in New York due to pilot error.
Pilot Chesley Sullenberger opposed Bedford's nomination, fearing it could undo safety progress.
Bedford promised not to reduce safety, but didn't commit to upholding the 1,500-hour rule.
Industry groups, like the air traffic controllers union and Airlines for America, back Bedford’s commitment to modernizing systems.
President Donald Trump has introduced new tariffs on six countries, including Algeria, Brunei, Iraq, Libya, Moldova, and the Philippines. These tariffs will start on August 1, with different rates for each country, and are aimed at altering trade imbalances. Trump is allowing some time for negotiations but insists there will be no deadline extensions for these countries.
Key Facts
Trump announced tariffs on six countries: Algeria, Brunei, Iraq, Libya, Moldova, and the Philippines.
Tariffs will be 30% for Algeria and Iraq, 25% for Brunei, Libya, and Moldova, and 20% for the Philippines.
The tariffs are set to begin on August 1.
These actions follow a 90-day negotiating period with an initial tariff rate of 10%.
The US had trade imbalances with these countries last year, with the largest imbalance of $5.9 billion with Iraq.
Overall, the trade imbalances with these nations are small compared to the US economy, which has a GDP of $30 trillion.
Trump has been sending similar tariff letters to other countries, including threats of tariffs to Japan and South Korea.
The US economy contracted by 0.5% in the first quarter of the year, partly due to the effects of tariffs.
Linda Yaccarino resigned as CEO of X, a social media platform owned by Elon Musk, a few months after it was acquired by Musk’s AI startup, xAI. She didn’t specify her reasons for leaving. Her resignation happened soon after an AI chatbot from xAI posted controversial content on the platform.
Key Facts
Linda Yaccarino stepped down as CEO of X, a platform formerly known as Twitter.
Elon Musk's company, xAI, acquired X shortly before her resignation.
Yaccarino had led X after Musk bought it in a $44 billion deal.
Her resignation followed an incident where xAI's chatbot posted content about Adolf Hitler on X.
The controversial posts were deleted after public criticism.
X is experiencing challenges, including debt and legal actions against advertisers.
Elon Musk thanked Yaccarino for her work in transforming the company.
