A wildfire near the Grand Canyon in Arizona has led to evacuations and the closure of the park's North Rim. High temperatures and winds are making the fire spread quickly. Officials also reported a hiker's death from extreme heat.
Key Facts
A wildfire called the White Sage Fire was started by lightning on July 9 near the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
The fire has burned about 1,000 acres and is not yet under control.
High temperatures and strong winds are making it hard to fight the fire.
All visitors at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon have been evacuated because of the fire.
A 67-year-old hiker from Texas died from the heat while hiking in the Grand Canyon.
Part of State Route 89A has been closed because of the fire.
Wildfires are also affecting parts of Colorado, leading to evacuations at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
A Department of Energy report suggests that power outages in the U.S. might increase significantly by 2030 due to higher demand and old infrastructure. Recent policy changes under President Trump's administration are reducing tax credits for renewable energy projects, which could affect the development of wind, solar, and battery storage technologies. Homeowners might also face higher electricity costs as incentives for renewable energy installations end.
Key Facts
Power outages in the U.S. could be much more frequent by 2030.
An aging power infrastructure and increased power demand are contributing factors.
New U.S. policies are phasing out tax credits for renewable energy projects.
Projects must start soon to qualify for full tax credits.
There may be a short timeline for projects to be operational to receive credits.
The ending of tax credits could impact projects like solar panels and geothermal heat pumps.
Homeowners might see their electricity costs rise by over $100 annually.
These changes could have significant environmental impacts, according to advocates.
A federal appeals court canceled plea deals for three men accused of planning the 9/11 attacks. The court ruled that former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was within his rights to rescind these deals last year, despite prior approval from a military court.
Key Facts
A federal appeals court canceled plea deals for three men accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks.
The men involved, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, had agreed to plead guilty for sentences of up to life in prison.
Former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin canceled the deals two days after they were announced.
Austin wanted to pursue a death-penalty trial for the defendants instead.
The appeals court decided that Austin had the legal power to revoke the deals.
Lawyers for the defendants argue Austin should not have canceled the deals since plea negotiations were ongoing for over two years.
The defendants are now considering whether to appeal this decision to higher courts.
A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., has canceled an agreement allowing Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to plead guilty for his involvement in the September 11, 2001, attacks. The court decided the previous decision to accept the plea deal was incorrect and that a formal trial should occur instead.
Key Facts
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is accused of planning the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
A plea deal was arranged that would give Mohammed and two other defendants life sentences, avoiding the death penalty.
Relatives of the September 11 victims were split on the plea deal; some wanted a trial for more information, while others wanted a conclusion.
The plea deal included a requirement for the defendants to answer questions about the attacks.
Former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, under President Biden, rejected the deal, saying such decisions should be made by the Defense Secretary.
The D.C. Circuit Court found that Austin acted correctly within his powers by rejecting the deal.
The plea deal had been paused while the court considered appeals from different administrations.
The decision means the case will continue without a quick resolution through a plea deal.
President Donald Trump visited Texas to see the damage caused by severe flooding. The flooding, which resulted in over 120 deaths and more than 170 people missing, prompted Trump to extend disaster aid to more affected areas.
Key Facts
President Trump visited Texas to assess flood damage.
Over 120 people died and more than 170 are missing due to the flooding.
Trump approved extending disaster aid to additional counties in Texas.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump toured flood-affected areas and met with officials.
Trump met with Texas officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott and Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.
Trump acknowledged the need for better warning systems and infrastructure repairs.
The visit was seen as a morale booster in an area that largely supported Trump in the election.
U.S. stocks fell on Friday morning as the Trump administration announced increased tariffs on Canadian imports. Major stock indexes like the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq dipped after their recent highs, while bond yields went up. The tariffs are part of ongoing trade negotiations but have caused fluctuations in the stock market.
Key Facts
U.S. stocks fell on Friday as the government announced higher tariffs on goods from Canada.
The S&P 500 index was down 0.4% after reaching a record high the previous day.
The Dow Jones fell by 279 points, and the Nasdaq dropped by 0.2%.
The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond increased to 4.40%.
President Trump plans to raise tariffs on Canadian imports to 35%.
The U.S. set a new deadline of August 1 for countries to finalize trade deals under the threat of increased tariffs.
Trump has also proposed tariffs on pharmaceutical drugs and copper imports.
Earnings season for companies is beginning, with many set to report their quarterly results next week.
Some stock sectors, like financials and health care, saw losses, while some tech stocks rose.
A Gallup poll shows that 79% of Americans now view immigration as beneficial, up from 64% a year ago. This positive shift includes increases among Republicans and independents. During President Trump's latest term, more Americans, including Republicans, support pathways to citizenship for immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status.
Key Facts
79% of Americans say immigration is a "good thing," a rise from 64% last year.
Only 20% of U.S. adults currently see immigration as negative, down from 32% last year.
Republican support for immigration being positive has increased, with 66% now in favor compared to 39% last year.
The percentage of Americans wanting to decrease immigration has dropped from 55% to 30%.
About 40% of Americans want immigration levels to stay the same, while 26% favor an increase.
The portion of Republicans who wish to decrease immigration fell from 88% to 48%.
Most Americans support a path to citizenship for immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status.
President Donald Trump will travel to Texas to see the damage caused by severe flooding that resulted in at least 120 deaths. During his visit, he plans to tour affected areas from the air and meet with emergency workers and the families of flood victims.
Key Facts
Severe flooding in Texas has resulted in at least 120 deaths.
President Trump will visit Texas to assess the flood damage.
The floods are described by the administration as a "once-in-a-lifetime" event.
The president will take an aerial tour of the areas that were badly affected.
Trump plans to meet first responders and families of those who died in the floods.
He will receive a briefing from officials at the state emergency operations center.
The administration previously aimed to reduce federal emergency services but has shifted focus following the disaster.
United States President Donald Trump complimented Liberia's President Joseph Boakai on his English during a meeting, although English is Liberia's official language. Liberia, founded by freed Black American slaves in 1822, is Africa's oldest republic and has a diverse population with various ethnic groups.
Key Facts
President Trump commented on President Boakai's English, which is Liberia's official language.
Liberia is located on the west coast of Africa and has a population of about five million.
Liberia was founded in 1822 as a place for freed Black American slaves.
Liberia became a republic in 1847 and is Africa's oldest republic.
Liberia and Ethiopia were never colonized during Europe's colonization of Africa.
The capital city, Monrovia, was named after U.S. President James Monroe.
The population includes various ethnic groups, with the Kpelle being the largest.
Americo-Liberians, descendants of the freed slaves, once led Liberia's government but lost power after a 1980 military coup.
The State Department is laying off over 1,300 employees as part of a restructuring plan by the Trump administration. The affected jobs include both civil servants and foreign service officers, with the goal of making the department more efficient.
Key Facts
More than 1,300 State Department employees will be laid off.
The layoffs include 1,107 civil servants and 246 foreign service officers.
Officials claim the layoffs target non-essential roles and aim to streamline operations.
Foreign service officers will have a 120-day leave before losing their jobs.
Civil servants have a 60-day separation period.
The changes are part of a wider push to downsize the U.S. government.
The Supreme Court allowed the layoffs to begin, despite ongoing legal challenges.
Critics argue the layoffs will weaken U.S. global influence and response capability.
More than 5,000 items from composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim's collection, including music and lyric sketches and unpublished scripts, are now in the Library of Congress. These items were saved from a potential fire at his home and are now available for study and preservation.
Key Facts
The Library of Congress houses over 5,000 of Stephen Sondheim's items.
The collection includes lyric and music sketches, scores, and unpublished scripts.
Sondheim donated his papers to the Library after visiting in 1993.
A fire at Sondheim's home almost destroyed these items, but they survived without damage.
Mark Eden Horowitz is a senior music specialist at the Library who worked with Sondheim.
The collection includes many early drafts, like sketches for songs from "Sweeney Todd."
Stephen Sondheim is known for his significant contributions to American musicals.
The U.S. State Department is reducing its staff in Washington, D.C. by about 15% as part of a major reorganization led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This change involves layoffs, office closures, and rewriting personnel rules to streamline decision-making processes.
Key Facts
The State Department is cutting roughly 15% of its Washington-based staff.
Early retirements have begun, and more layoffs are expected soon.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio leads the changes, closing 132 offices.
Personnel rules have been rewritten to allow for layoffs of certain roles.
Rubio aims to speed up decision-making by reducing bureaucracy layers.
Former diplomats and the American Academy of Diplomacy have criticized the move.
Concerns include loss of experienced staff and impacts on U.S. global influence.
Former official Thomas Shannon warns of potential long-term negative effects.
The U.S. State Department is cutting about 15% of its staff as part of a major reorganization led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Hundreds of employees received layoff notices, and many offices will be closed to streamline decision-making processes. The changes are meant to reduce bureaucracy, though some former diplomats are concerned about the potential negative effects on U.S. diplomacy.
Key Facts
The State Department is reducing its staff in Washington by about 15%.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the cuts aim to make the department work faster by reducing bureaucracy.
132 department offices are being closed as part of this reorganization.
New rules have been created to remove certain positions from foreign and civil services.
Former diplomats express concerns that the cuts could weaken U.S. diplomatic efforts.
Critics argue that the staff cuts may harm the U.S.’s influence and global standing.
The overhaul might affect U.S. commitment to human rights and democracy promotion.
Some employees have taken early retirement, while hundreds were laid off.
President Trump is visiting Kerr County, Texas, to see the damage caused by recent flooding that has resulted in at least 120 deaths and 170 missing people. Separately, a government staffer at the U.S. Department of Agriculture has gained access to a system that manages loans and payments to farmers. This access has raised concerns among farmers about potential disruptions to their financial support.
Key Facts
President Trump is visiting Texas to assess flood damage.
The flooding in Texas has resulted in at least 120 deaths and over 170 people missing.
Trump will meet with first responders and local officials and hold a roundtable discussion.
A government staffer named John Wick has access to the USDA's Farm Service Agency system.
This system manages loans and payments for U.S. farmers and ranchers.
Farmers worry that changes to their loans could disrupt their operations.
Brazilian President Lula has threatened retaliatory tariffs if Trump enacts a 50% tax on Brazilian imports.
Trump supports Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro, who faces legal issues for alleged election interference.
There will be no immediate changes to the tax-free allowance for cash Individual Savings Accounts (Isas), which is currently set at £20,000 per year. This means people can continue to save up to this amount without paying tax on their returns.
Key Facts
Cash Isas allow individuals to save money without paying taxes on the returns.
The annual limit for cash Isas is £20,000.
The government was expected to lower this allowance to encourage investment in stocks and shares.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves did not announce changes to the allowance.
The Treasury plans to keep discussing possible reforms with banks and investment firms.
An Isa can be a savings or an investment product, with tax benefits on returns.
You can use the £20,000 allowance in one account or across multiple Isa products.
President Trump announced that small countries could face high taxes, known as tariffs, on their goods if they do not make trade deals with the United States. This could affect countries like Cambodia that sell products to the U.S.
Key Facts
President Trump mentioned new tariffs targeting small countries.
Tariffs are taxes on goods brought into a country.
These tariffs could be in the "double digits," meaning higher percentages.
Countries need to make trade agreements with the U.S. to avoid these tariffs.
Cambodia is one of the countries that might be affected.
Small countries export various products to the U.S., which could become more expensive with tariffs.
Michel Martin had a conversation with Deanne Criswell, who used to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during President Biden's time in office. They talked about how to handle natural disasters.
Key Facts
The conversation took place on NPR's Morning Edition.
Deanne Criswell was the head of FEMA under President Biden.
FEMA stands for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The discussion focused on responding to natural disasters.
The interview with Criswell was led by Michel Martin.
The audio of the interview will be available for listening later.
President Trump plans to visit central Texas on Friday to look at the damage caused by last week's flooding. He will meet with local officials in Kerr County to get updates about the situation.
Key Facts
President Trump will visit Kerr County, Texas, on Friday.
The visit is to see the damage from recent flooding.
Local officials will brief him on the situation.
The flooding happened last week and caused significant damage.
The visit is part of President Trump’s schedule to assess the impact of the floods.
Three Muslim sisters, Jamilah, Zaynah, and Latifah McBryde, helped change the rules of women's wrestling in the U.S. by advocating for the ability to compete while wearing full-body uniforms that meet their religious beliefs. Their efforts, supported by their coaches, led to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) allowing these modified uniforms.
Key Facts
The McBryde sisters grew up in Buffalo, N.Y., and were homeschooled.
They faced challenges because they couldn't wrestle boys or wear traditional wrestling singlets due to their faith.
They created uniforms inspired by those used by Iranian women wrestlers, which included a long-sleeved shirt, leggings under pants, and a head covering.
Coaches and athletic trainers helped adapt the uniforms using velcro and tape to secure them.
Latifah was denied participation at the Pan American Championships in 2022 due to uniform restrictions from United World Wrestling.
Life University coaches actively supported the sisters, promising to push for rule changes.
In summer 2022, NAIA approved the modified uniforms.
The sisters started at Life University later that year, finding a supportive team environment.
A federal judge in New Hampshire stopped President Trump's executive order that aimed to end birthright citizenship. The judge's decision means the order will not be enforced anywhere in the United States.
Key Facts
A judge in New Hampshire made a decision against an executive order.
The executive order was from President Trump.
The order aimed to end birthright citizenship.
Birthright citizenship means if you are born in the U.S., you are a citizen.
The judge's ruling stops the order from being enforced in the whole country.
