Texans gathered in San Antonio to honor those who died or are missing after flash floods in Central Texas. At least 100 people are dead, and many are still missing, including 27 individuals from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' camp.
Key Facts
People in San Antonio gathered to remember victims of recent flash floods.
The floods occurred in Central Texas on a Friday.
At least 100 people have died because of the floods.
Many people are still unaccounted for after the flooding.
Camp Mystic confirmed that 27 girls and staff are among the dead.
Ten girls and one camp counselor from the camp are still missing.
The news brief covers three major topics: fatal floods in central Texas, former President Trump considering additional tariffs on several countries, and medical groups taking legal action against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. due to his vaccine policy activities.
Key Facts
There are deadly floods happening in central Texas.
Donald Trump is thinking about putting new tariffs on products from over a dozen countries.
Tariffs are taxes on goods coming into the country, which can make them more expensive.
Medical groups are suing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The lawsuit is related to Kennedy's recent actions concerning vaccine policies.
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the entire federal district court in Maryland. This legal action is due to the court's decision to pause certain immigration cases, which the DOJ claims interferes with the executive branch’s authority.
Key Facts
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is suing the federal district court in Maryland.
The lawsuit involves all 15 judges in the court.
The main issue is a 48-hour pause ordered by the Maryland court for cases involving migrants trying to stop deportations.
The pause was intended to give the court time to consider habeas corpus petitions, which are requests to review the legality of a person's detention.
Habeas corpus is used to help people avoid unlawful imprisonment.
The DOJ argues that the Maryland court's actions interfere with executive powers, particularly immigration enforcement.
The Trump administration focuses on ramping up immigration enforcement.
The lawsuit arose after a previous incident where a man was mistakenly deported and later returned to the U.S.
The Scopes Trial, held in Dayton, Tennessee, in 1925, involved teacher John Scopes, who was charged with illegally teaching evolution. The case attracted national attention and highlighted the conflict between modern science and religious beliefs, which continues to this day.
Key Facts
The trial took place in Dayton, Tennessee, in 1925.
John Scopes, a substitute teacher, was accused of teaching evolution, which was illegal in the state at that time.
The law, known as the Butler Act, banned teaching any theory that denied the biblical creation of humans.
The trial became famous across the United States and was the first to be broadcast on radio.
Clarence Darrow defended Scopes, supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
William Jennings Bryan, a well-known religious figure and politician, was the prosecutor.
The event was considered a public spectacle, resembling a staged debate.
The trial reflected ongoing tensions between religious beliefs and scientific progress.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing a lawsuit from several major medical organizations after he removed COVID-19 vaccines from the recommendation list for healthy children and pregnant women. The lawsuit claims this action violated federal law and disregarded established procedures.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. decided to remove COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women from federal recommendations in late May.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, and the American Public Health Association are among the groups filing the lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed in a federal district court in Massachusetts on Monday.
The claim argues that removing the vaccine recommendations violated federal law.
The plaintiffs want the court to reverse Kennedy's changes and declare them unlawful.
The case involves claims that Kennedy did not follow the proper procedure when making these changes, which usually involves consulting with a specific advisory panel.
A pregnant doctor in Massachusetts is one of the plaintiffs, citing concerns about access to COVID vaccines.
The lawsuit discusses Kennedy's pattern of replacing expert advisors with his own appointees.
This spring, Southern California experienced a long-lasting toxic algae bloom, affecting many marine animals, including sea lions. The Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro cared for nearly 400 animals before releasing them, like Patchouli the sea lion, back into the wild. Researchers will now study samples from the affected animals to understand the impact of the toxin and if wildfire runoff contributed to the algae bloom.
Key Facts
A toxic algae bloom occurred in Southern California this spring.
The algae bloom was one of the longest recorded in the area.
It sickened at least 1,500 marine animals, including sea lions and dolphins.
The Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro took in nearly 400 animals for treatment.
Patchouli the sea lion was among the last animals released back to the ocean after care.
The center saved samples from affected animals to study the toxin's effects.
Scientists are exploring whether runoff from January wildfires affected the bloom.
The center has treated nearly 10,000 marine animals since it opened in 1992.
A recent study found that the health of children in the U.S. has worsened since 2007, with more kids experiencing chronic health conditions. Factors contributing to this decline include higher rates of diseases like depression, anxiety, and obesity, and increased mortality rates compared to other wealthy countries.
Key Facts
The health of U.S. children has declined significantly since 2007.
Chronic conditions in children have increased by 15-20% from 2011 to 2023.
Rates of depression, anxiety, autism, and obesity in children have risen.
Sleep problems, reduced physical activity, and loneliness have also increased.
U.S. child mortality rates have risen, with gun violence as a major factor for older kids.
Firearm mortality overtook motor vehicle crashes as the top cause of death for U.S. youth in 2020.
Lack of universal health care in the U.S. is linked to poorer health outcomes for children.
Recent Medicaid cuts may further limit health care access for low-income children.
Federal officials are looking into the University of Michigan Health system after a former worker said she was fired for asking not to provide gender-affirming care due to her religious beliefs. This investigation is part of a larger effort by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address religious freedom in healthcare settings. It involves looking at how health workers can refuse to offer certain types of care based on their beliefs.
Key Facts
The Department of Health and Human Services is investigating the University of Michigan Health system.
A former employee, Valerie Kloosterman, claims she was fired for seeking a religious exemption from gender-affirming care.
This case is part of a broader series of investigations by HHS into religious protections for health workers.
The Church Amendments are federal laws that protect healthcare workers' rights to refuse certain medical procedures based on conscience or religious beliefs.
The investigation includes other cases involving ultrasound technicians and a nurse who had religious objections to certain types of care.
HHS launched these investigations after similar efforts by the Trump administration were halted by federal courts.
Valerie Kloosterman worked as a physician assistant at the University of Michigan Health-West.
The HHS spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
The U.S. has millions of old gas and oil wells that can cause environmental and health problems if not properly plugged. Maria Burns' experience in Ohio highlights the challenges of effectively sealing these old wells, which can leak harmful chemicals and contribute to global warming if not addressed correctly.
Key Facts
Millions of old gas and oil wells exist in the U.S.
Old wells can leak harmful chemicals like benzene and arsenic.
Leaking wells can contaminate water and harm human health.
Natural gas leaks contribute to global warming due to methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Properly plugging old wells is difficult and expensive.
Wells that are not plugged correctly can start to leak again over time.
Maria Burns' well in Ohio was initially plugged in the 1950s but was leaking and required re-plugging.
The project to plug Burns' well was funded by Ohio's Orphan Well Program.
Small businesses in Kansas City that often serve immigrant customers are seeing a drop in sales. This has been happening since immigration policies became stricter under the Trump administration.
Key Facts
Small, family-run stores in Kansas City are experiencing lower sales.
These stores mainly serve recent immigrants.
The drop in sales started after stricter immigration policies were introduced.
Store owners report that customers are holding back on spending because they are worried.
The United States has deported hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to a prison in El Salvador, even though a U.S. court ordered the deportations to stop. The U.N. found that the U.S. still controls the situation of these migrants, contradicting the U.S. government's claims.
Key Facts
The Trump administration deported Venezuelan migrants to a Salvadoran prison called the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).
El Salvador acknowledged to U.N. investigators that the U.S. controls the situation of these deported migrants.
The U.S. government claimed it could not return the migrants due to a lack of legal authority now that they are outside the country.
This deportation process was challenged by more than 100 migrants in court.
The U.N. report supports claims by lawyers that the U.S. retains control over the Venezuelans.
The Trump administration agreed to pay El Salvador $6 million to house the migrants.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a migrant mistakenly deported to the same prison, has been returned to the U.S. and faces charges.
A coalition of immigrant rights groups sued to cancel the deal with El Salvador, claiming it violates the U.S. Constitution.
United States President Donald Trump has threatened to increase tariffs on countries in the BRICS economic group. This comes after BRICS leaders criticized the use of trade tariffs and recent military actions in Iran. BRICS, which includes countries like Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, had a summit where they promoted global cooperation and peace.
Key Facts
President Trump threatened a 10% additional tariff on countries aligning with BRICS.
BRICS is an economic group including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and others.
The BRICS group criticized trade tariffs and military actions in Iran.
The US and Israel conducted military strikes on Iran, claiming to prevent nuclear weapon development.
BRICS leaders argued against unilateral tariffs, saying they harm global trade.
President Trump aims to use tariffs to negotiate better trade deals, part of his "America First" agenda.
BRICS held their 17th summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Leaders like South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized Trump's tariff threats.
The death toll from flash floods in central Texas, which began on Friday, has risen to over 100 people, with many more missing. Rescue teams are searching for survivors as more storms threaten the area. A summer camp reported 27 deaths among girls and staff, and budget debates continue around disaster response and warnings.
Key Facts
Flash floods hit central Texas on Friday, causing over 100 deaths.
Search and rescue teams continue to look for missing people.
Camp Mystic, a girls' summer camp, lost at least 27 people.
Kerr County had the most casualties, with 84 confirmed dead.
Critics argue government budget cuts possibly affected disaster response.
The National Weather Service issued warnings before and during the flood.
The White House states the floods were "an act of God" and not due to administration actions.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz urged people not to engage in political blame during the crisis period.
Employers in the UK will not be allowed to use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to stop employees from talking about sexual harassment or discrimination at work. A change to the Employment Rights Bill will cancel any confidentiality agreements that try to block such discussions.
Key Facts
The UK government plans to stop the use of NDAs to silence victims of workplace misconduct and discrimination.
The change is an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, expected to become law later this year.
An NDA is a legal document meant to keep certain information private.
This amendment follows high-profile cases like Zelda Perkins breaking her NDA against Harvey Weinstein.
The change will bring the UK laws closer to those in Ireland, the United States, and parts of Canada.
Employment rights minister Justin Madders stated that NDAs were misused to hide inappropriate workplace behavior.
The amendments will be discussed in the House of Lords on 14 July and require approval by MPs.
Some Democrats have suggested that staffing cuts in the National Weather Service (NWS) under the Trump administration might have affected the ability to predict the recent Texas floods. However, experts stated that the staffing was adequate and the forecasts and warnings were normal. While heavy rainfall can be challenging to predict exactly, some experts noted that local communication might have been less effective due to vacancies in local NWS offices.
Key Facts
Democrats claimed federal staffing cuts might have hindered accurate weather forecasting for Texas floods.
The Trump administration proposed a future budget cut to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) but staffing cuts had already occurred.
Voluntary redundancies and early retirements led to 600 staff reductions at the NWS.
As of April 2025, many NWS offices had a 20% vacancy rate, higher than ten years ago.
Experts said the forecasts and warnings for the Texas floods were as good as expected under the circumstances.
Local NWS offices in Texas reportedly had staff vacancies, which some experts believe may have impacted coordination with emergency services.
The San Antonio NWS office listed several open positions, including meteorologists, on its website.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump defended ex-Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on social media, saying his legal troubles are politically driven. Bolsonaro is accused of planning a coup in Brazil after losing the 2022 election, while Trump draws parallels with his own legal issues following the 2020 U.S. election.
Key Facts
Donald Trump used his social media platform to support Jair Bolsonaro amid criminal charges against him.
Bolsonaro is alleged to have plotted a coup after losing Brazil's 2022 election.
Trump's comments suggested both he and Bolsonaro face politically motivated legal challenges.
Trump has been accused of trying to overturn the 2020 U.S. election results.
Bolsonaro's charges involve claims of spreading falsehoods about Brazil’s voting machines and resisting election outcomes.
Trump's supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol in 2021 to interrupt the election certification.
Bolsonaro has been barred from running for office in Brazil until 2030.
Both leaders have denied the accusations against them.
Volunteers in Texas, including Ilda Mendoza who is soon to give birth, are helping with recovery efforts after severe flooding. They have found three bodies, and the search continues for a missing woman. The flooding has caused more deaths as these volunteers work through the damaged areas.
Key Facts
Severe flooding hit a Texas neighborhood.
Ilda Mendoza, who is pregnant, helps lead the search and recovery efforts.
Volunteers discovered the bodies of José Olvera and two children.
They are still searching for Alicia Olvera, the missing mother of the children.
The flooding has resulted in an increasing death toll.
Volunteers are navigating through debris in their search efforts.
**Summary:** Scientists discovered a new species of pterosaur, a flying reptile, from a jawbone found in Arizona in 2011. They named it Eotephradactylus mcintireae, which lived over 200 million years ago, and this is now considered the oldest pterosaur found in North America.
**Key Facts:**
- Scientists identified the new pterosaur from a jawbone found in Arizona in 2011.
- The species is named Eotephradactylus mcintireae, meaning "ash-winged dawn goddess."
- This pterosaur lived about 209 million years ago.
- It is the earliest pterosaur discovered in North America.
- The bones were preserved in volcanic ash in an ancient riverbed in Petrified Forest National Park.
- The site also contained other fossils, like fish scales and fossilized dung (coprolites).
- The pterosaur likely ate primitive fish with hard, bony scales.
- The area shows a mix of ancient and more modern animal life, giving insight into evolutionary changes 200 million years ago.
Hopes of finding more survivors from the severe floods in central Texas are fading. At least 95 people have died, including 28 children, and many others are still missing.
Key Facts
Flash floods hit central Texas, causing significant damage.
The number of measles cases in the United States has reached its highest level in 33 years, with nearly 1,300 cases reported. Most people with measles were either not vaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown. Texas is the most affected state, and as cases rise, more people are getting vaccinated.
Key Facts
The US has reported nearly 1,300 measles cases, the most in 33 years.
Measles cases have been found in 38 states and Washington, D.C.
At least three people have died, and 155 were hospitalized due to measles.
92% of cases are in people who were not vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.
Texas has the highest number of cases, with over 700 reported.
Vaccination rates are increasing as a response to the outbreak.
The MMR vaccine is 97% effective and protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Other countries, like the UK and Canada, are also seeing measles outbreaks.
