In Texas, authorities continued to search for bodies after severe flooding. The flood has resulted in 121 confirmed deaths, and at least 161 people are still missing.
Key Facts
A powerful flood hit Texas nearly a week ago.
The flood has caused 121 confirmed deaths.
At least 161 people are still missing after the flood.
The National Weather Service had issued warnings before midnight on July 3.
Local officials seemed unaware of the flooding situation until later in the morning.
Amna Nawaz talked about the situation with Neena Satija.
Officials are watching a large group of small earthquakes happening at Mount Rainier in Washington. Although the number of quakes is higher than usual, there is no sign that this is a serious issue.
Key Facts
Mount Rainier is experiencing its biggest swarm of earthquakes in over 15 years.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the swarm started early on a Tuesday.
The biggest earthquake recorded in this swarm had a magnitude of 2.3.
The swarm is said to be due to fluid movement under the volcano, not an immediate threat.
The volcano's alert level is still at normal.
Earthquakes were too small to be felt on the surface.
Swarms of quakes at Mount Rainier usually happen once or twice a year.
Mount Rainier is located about 60 miles southeast of Seattle.
The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to start reorganizing federal agencies and begin laying off many federal workers. These job cuts had been delayed, but now numerous employees at around 20 agencies could lose their jobs.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court approved the Trump administration's plan to reorganize agencies.
This reorganization includes the potential for mass layoffs of federal workers.
The planned job reductions had been paused for several months.
Tens of thousands of federal employees could be affected.
Approximately 20 different federal agencies might see staff reductions.
Everett Kelley from the American Federation of Government Employees discussed the issue.
A new report from the United Nations Aids Agency (UNAIDS) warns that the progress made in fighting HIV/AIDS is at risk due to significant funding cuts, particularly from the U.S. These cuts could lead to millions of new infections and deaths if not addressed soon.
Key Facts
The UNAIDS report highlights that funding cuts threaten to reverse decades of progress in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
The U.S., a major donor, has halted most funding to a key program known as PEPFAR, which worked to combat HIV/AIDS globally.
The funding cuts may result in an additional six million HIV infections and four million AIDS-related deaths over the next four years.
Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, 26.9 million lives have been saved through treatments, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
South Africa, with the largest number of people living with HIV, is experiencing significant effects due to these cuts.
The funding reductions have caused many research trials in South Africa to be suspended.
Dr. Helen Rees, a key figure in health research, mentions that the funding gap impacts not just South Africa but has global effects.
U.S. policy changes are part of a broader move from providing aid to emphasizing trade relationships.
Some states in the U.S. are increasing restrictions on abortion and suggesting adoption as another choice for women with unexpected pregnancies. Julia Lurie from the Center for Investigative Reporting explores how this is impacting one of the states that supports adoption the most.
Key Facts
Several U.S. states are limiting or banning abortion.
These states are promoting adoption as an option for women with unplanned pregnancies.
Julia Lurie is an investigative reporter looking into this issue.
The investigation focuses on the effects of these changes in a state known for supporting adoption.
The report seeks to understand when promoting adoption might become unfair or harmful.
President Lula of Brazil announced he would impose the same level of tariffs on the U.S. that President Trump threatens to apply to Brazil. This decision is based on a Brazilian law allowing reciprocal action if ongoing talks with the U.S. do not succeed. The increased tensions stem from Trump's response to a trial against former Brazilian President Bolsonaro.
Key Facts
President Lula of Brazil stated he will match any U.S. tariffs with equal tariffs on American goods.
The discussion follows President Trump’s proposed increase in tariffs related to Bolsonaro's trial.
Brazil has a law allowing reciprocal tariffs, which Lula plans to use if negotiations with the U.S. fail.
The threat of increased tariffs has raised concerns about a trade dispute between Brazil and the U.S.
The U.S. currently has a trade surplus with Brazil, meaning it exports more to Brazil than it imports.
Trade talks between the U.S. and Brazil have become uncertain following Trump's tariff threats.
Trump's actions are seen as trying to influence internal Brazilian legal matters involving Bolsonaro.
The situation is linked to broader tensions involving Brazil's engagements with other global economies, known as BRICS.
Prices for family holiday packages have increased, but there are strategies to save money. Tips include booking early, flying at less popular times, looking for last-minute hotel deals, trying house swaps, and paying in local currency.
Key Facts
Family vacation package prices have gone up in popular places.
Booking early for July and August can save money since these months are peak travel times.
Flying mid-week and early in the morning is usually cheaper than weekend or midday flights.
Last-minute hotel deals can be found if you book late, especially with package holidays.
House-swapping is an alternative to paying for hotels, with just a service and cleaning fee.
Be cautious of holiday scams, especially on social media, by verifying images and offers.
Changing money at airports is typically expensive; it is better to do it in advance and pay in local currency to avoid high costs.
A judge in New Hampshire stopped President Trump's order that aimed to end birthright citizenship for some U.S. residents, allowing a lawsuit to continue. This decision follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that limits broad court orders but still lets certain legal processes continue.
Key Facts
A judge blocked President Trump's order to end birthright citizenship in some cases.
The lawsuit against this order was started by the American Civil Liberties Union.
The U.S. Constitution automatically gives citizenship to those born on U.S. soil.
Trump's order targeted children of undocumented immigrants and visitors.
The Supreme Court recently limited wide-reaching court orders but allowed some exceptions.
The Trump administration plans to appeal the recent court decision.
Birthright citizenship policy has faced multiple legal challenges since Trump took office.
The Supreme Court previously ruled in favor of Trump, restricting judicial power to stop his orders.
House Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries will hold a town hall in New Orleans, Louisiana, to discuss the impact of a Republican-led bill signed by President Trump. The bill includes tax cuts while reducing health care and food aid benefits, which Democrats claim could negatively affect millions of Americans.
Key Facts
Hakeem Jeffries, a top House Democrat, is leading a town hall in New Orleans against the Republican health care cuts.
The Republican bill extends tax cuts mostly benefiting wealthy Americans and introduces new tax breaks, like no taxes on tips.
It reduces federal funding for Medicaid by $1 trillion and may affect 11.8 million Americans' health care coverage.
The bill makes changes to federally run health programs like Medicaid, affected mostly after the 2026 midterm elections.
An estimated 3 million people may lose food aid benefits under the bill.
Louisiana, especially affected by the Medicaid cuts, could see over 200,000 more people uninsured.
About 38% of people in Speaker Mike Johnson’s district in Louisiana are on Medicaid.
Republicans, including Scalise, argue the bill will boost the economy and strengthen U.S. borders.
A man named Ryan Routh is charged with trying to assassinate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course. Routh told a judge he wants to represent himself in his upcoming trial, after previously being appointed lawyers. His trial is set to begin in September.
Key Facts
Ryan Routh is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at a golf course in Florida.
Routh expressed a desire to fire his court-appointed lawyers and represent himself in court.
The judge, Aileen Cannon, questioned Routh to ensure he understood the risks of self-representation.
Routh's trial is scheduled to start on September 8, 2023.
The U.S. Supreme Court allows defendants to represent themselves if they understand what they're doing.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to federal charges and additional state charges of terrorism and attempted murder.
Prosecutors say Routh aimed a rifle at Trump but was seen by a Secret Service agent before he could fire.
A witness helped law enforcement identify Routh, leading to his arrest.
A federal judge in New Hampshire has put a temporary hold on an executive order from former President Trump, which aimed to restrict birthright citizenship. This decision is part of a class-action lawsuit challenging the order, which could affect children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents.
Key Facts
Birthright citizenship is protected by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, granting citizenship to anyone born in the U.S.
Former President Trump signed an order trying to change this rule for children of undocumented immigrants.
A class-action lawsuit was filed against the order, representing children affected by this change.
U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante blocked the order, stating it could cause irreparable harm.
The ruling includes a preliminary injunction, which temporarily stops the order from taking effect.
The injunction is on hold for seven days to allow the Trump administration to appeal.
The case involves a pregnant woman from Honduras seeking asylum and parents from Brazil applying for U.S. residency.
Plaintiffs fear the order could deny their children access to rights like citizenship and government services.
The article discusses the difficulties people in Gaza face in obtaining food due to restrictions. NPR reporter Anas Baba, who lives in Gaza, describes his own experience of trying to get food from a distribution center run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Key Facts
NPR journalist Anas Baba reports from Gaza, where he also resides.
Israel blocks international journalists from entering Gaza independently.
Anas Baba lost a third of his body weight during the 21-month conflict.
Gaza faces tight restrictions on food entry, as controlled by Israel.
Food is distributed mainly through sites operated by U.S. private contractors and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
The U.N. Secretary General criticized the new food distribution system.
Reports indicate hundreds of people died while trying to access food sites.
U.S. officials accused American media of spreading misinformation from Hamas.
National DOGE recently obtained special access to a database containing sensitive financial information about millions of farmers and ranchers in the United States. This database plays a role in managing payments amounting to billions of dollars from the government to these agricultural workers.
Key Facts
National DOGE has access to sensitive financial information about U.S. farmers and ranchers.
The data is part of a database linked to government payments.
This database manages billions of dollars in payments to farmers and ranchers.
The access granted to DOGE is described as high-level.
This situation affects millions of people involved in farming across the country.
A nominee for a key position at NOAA spoke to senators about extreme weather, like the recent floods in Texas, during a hearing. NOAA is dealing with budget cuts and losing staff.
Key Facts
A nominee for a top job at NOAA talked with senators.
The discussion included recent extreme weather, such as Texas floods.
The hearing happened before a confirmation vote for the nominee.
NOAA is facing a significant budget reduction.
The agency is losing employees due to these budget cuts.
Thousands of people visited the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand to celebrate the first birthday of Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo. Moo Deng has gained popularity online, leading to events and activities at the zoo that attracted visitors from around the world.
Key Facts
Moo Deng is a baby pygmy hippo living at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand.
The zoo held a four-day birthday celebration for Moo Deng, drawing 12,000 visitors on the first day.
Entry was free for children under 12 during the event.
Fans from various countries, including the U.S. and Malaysia, traveled to see Moo Deng.
Moo Deng's birth and growth have been shared widely on social media by her keeper, boosting her popularity.
The zoo held auctions to raise funds for animal care, including an auction for Moo Deng's birthday cake sponsorship.
The zoo director sees Moo Deng as a symbol for wildlife conservation, highlighting the roles zoos play in protecting endangered species.
Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa and face threats from hunting and habitat loss.
The head of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Andrew Ferguson, has stated that the FTC's rule to ban noncompete agreements is possibly unconstitutional. Despite this, he emphasizes that protecting workers from noncompetes is still important to the FTC.
Key Facts
The FTC is a government agency that oversees fair trade practices.
Andrew Ferguson is the chairperson of the FTC.
Noncompete agreements prevent employees from working for competitors after leaving a job.
Ferguson has described the FTC's rule against noncompetes as potentially unconstitutional.
Protecting workers from noncompetes is still a priority for the FTC.
Noncompete agreements can limit workers' job opportunities and mobility.
A tunnel under construction in Wilmington, Los Angeles, collapsed, trapping 27 workers. Emergency crews rescued all the workers, including four who entered the tunnel to help, with no reported injuries. The project is paused for investigation.
Key Facts
A construction tunnel collapsed in Wilmington, Los Angeles.
The collapse trapped 27 workers underground.
Four additional workers entered the tunnel to assist.
Emergency crews rescued all 31 individuals in about an hour.
Over 100 emergency responders were involved in the rescue.
No injuries were reported among the workers.
The construction project is currently on hold for further investigation.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met with the rescued workers.
Liberia has strong historical ties to the United States because it was founded by freed African-American slaves in 1822. The country’s official language is English, and its capital city, Monrovia, is named after a former U.S. president. These connections are reflected in Liberia's culture, symbols, and heritage.
Key Facts
Liberia was founded in 1822 by freed African-American slaves.
English is Liberia's official language, and the accent of many Liberians reflects U.S. historical ties.
Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, is named after James Monroe, the 5th U.S. President.
Many streets in Monrovia are named after American colonial figures, showing historical connections.
Liberia's flag is similar to the U.S. flag, with a single star and eleven stripes.
Ten of Liberia’s 26 presidents were born in the United States.
Timothy Weah, son of former Liberian President George Weah, plays soccer for the U.S. national team.
Liberia’s former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first elected female president in Africa, studied in the United States and promoted peace during her tenure.
The United States has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, a U.N. special rapporteur, due to her critical work on human rights abuses in the Palestinian territories. Albanese has defended her actions, while the U.N. high commissioner for human rights has called for the sanctions to be reversed, urging constructive dialogue instead.
Key Facts
Francesca Albanese is a U.N. special rapporteur focused on human rights in the Palestinian territories.
The U.S. sanctioned Albanese, accusing her of promoting antisemitism and supporting terrorism.
Albanese claims the sanctions aim to weaken her mission.
U.N. rapporteurs don’t have official authority but can influence international pressure and legal cases.
Albanese has criticized Israel for alleged genocide against Palestinians and supported International Criminal Court actions against Israeli officials.
The U.N. high commissioner called for the U.S. to reverse sanctions and engage constructively.
Israel and the U.S. deny Albanese’s accusations of genocide and have criticized her and the Human Rights Council for bias.
