Heavy rains in New York and New Jersey caused flash flooding that killed two people and led to a state of emergency in New Jersey. Floods trapped drivers in their cars, closed roads, and disrupted public transport. More storms are expected, potentially bringing further flooding to the northeastern U.S., Florida, and the Midwest.
Key Facts
Two people died in Plainfield, New Jersey, when floodwaters swept away their car.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency due to the flooding.
The flooding led to road closures and subway delays in New York City and New Jersey.
Rescue operations were needed, including in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, where a man was pulled from his car.
New Jersey experienced over 6 inches (15 cm) of rain in a few hours, causing flight delays at Newark Liberty International Airport.
New York City saw its second-highest recorded hourly rainfall with 2 inches in 30 minutes.
Parts of Virginia also faced flood risks, with two cities warned of potential "catastrophic" damage.
More storms are expected, possibly impacting the northeastern U.S., Florida, and the Midwest.
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Senate Republicans are discussing changes to President Donald Trump's plan to cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved spending, including funds for public broadcasting and foreign aid. The Senate must pass the bill by Friday, or the spending will continue as planned. Some Republicans and all Democrats are concerned about the proposed cuts, which need nearly full Republican support to pass.
Key Facts
President Trump wants to cancel spending of $9.4 billion, including $1.1 billion from public broadcasting and $8.3 billion from foreign aid.
The Senate has until Friday to pass the bill, or the planned spending will remain.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune mentioned possible adjustments to the proposed cuts.
The cuts include funds for a global health program called PEPFAR.
Republicans need almost all their senators to agree to pass the bill.
Democrats are against the cuts, viewing them as harmful to the budget process.
If passed, the bill could lead to debates and amendments known as a "vote-a-rama."
The House of Representatives has already shown support for President Trump's request through a narrow vote.
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Former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz faced questioning during a Senate hearing for his nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Senators asked about a past incident involving a Signal chat group where Waltz discussed military actions in Yemen, and why he was still on the White House payroll after being removed from his national security role. Despite the controversy, his nomination is likely to move forward with support from Senate Republicans.
Key Facts
Mike Waltz was nominated to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
He was questioned about a Signal chat incident where he included a journalist in discussions about military strikes in Yemen.
No disciplinary action was taken against Waltz after a White House investigation.
Some senators criticized Waltz, calling the incident "amateurish" and "disqualifying."
Despite criticisms, Waltz's nomination is expected to proceed due to Republican support.
Waltz said he will focus on countering China's influence at the UN.
President Trump initially wanted Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for the role but asked her to remain in Congress.
Alongside Waltz’s nomination, Trump's other nominees for ambassador roles include John Arrigo and Christine Toretti.
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Over 14 million children did not get any vaccines last year. Nine countries accounted for more than half of these cases. Despite stable vaccination rates for certain diseases, global efforts may face challenges due to a decline in international aid and misinformation about vaccine safety.
Key Facts
More than 14 million children were not vaccinated last year.
Nine countries made up over half of these unvaccinated children: Nigeria, India, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Angola.
Vaccination rates for diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough stayed steady at 89% for the first dose, with 85% completing all three doses.
U.S. decisions to cut international aid may hinder global vaccination efforts.
Vaccines save between 3.5 million to 5 million lives each year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that vaccine access is very uneven across different regions.
Measles vaccination rates need to be at 95% to prevent outbreaks, but only 76% of children worldwide are fully vaccinated.
WHO reported large measles outbreaks in 60 countries last year, with notable increases in the U.S. and Europe.
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The Trump administration stopped making key climate reports available online, which are required by law. Initially, these reports were supposed to be hosted on NASA's website, but NASA decided not to do so, saying they met their legal responsibility by presenting these reports to Congress. Past reports are still available in another government office, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) library.
Key Facts
The Trump administration discontinued online publication of major climate reports.
The reports were initially planned to be hosted on NASA's website.
NASA announced they would not host the reports online as they are not legally required to do so.
Past reports are still stored at NOAA's library.
The reports are legally required to inform the public and governments on climate impacts.
These reports show how climate change affects people and environments across the U.S.
Some scientists criticize the administration for restricting public access to important climate information.
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President Trump is facing criticism from his supporters over the Justice Department’s decision not to release records related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case. Despite efforts to downplay the situation, his base is unhappy and demanding transparency. This situation is complicated by Trump's past promotion of theories about government secrets and conspiracy.
Key Facts
Trump supporters are upset because the Justice Department did not release records on Epstein's case.
The Justice Department and FBI stated they concluded there is no client list of people involved with Epstein.
Trump defended Attorney General Pam Bondi when asked about the Epstein documents.
There is reported infighting between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino over the issue.
Trump tried to redirect attention by suggesting a focus on investigating Democrats.
Some of Trump's supporters want more information released about Epstein despite Trump’s attempts to move on.
Trump’s past focus on government secrets and conspiracies is causing challenges now that he is facing demands for transparency.
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Indigenous Australians living on the Torres Strait Islands lost a court case where they tried to hold the Australian government accountable for not setting strong climate action targets. The court ruled that the government is not required to protect the islands from climate change impacts.
Key Facts
A court case was brought by Indigenous Australians from Torres Strait Islands against the Australian government.
The case focused on the government's climate action and its responsibility to protect the islands.
Australia’s Federal Court decided the government is not legally required to shield the islands from climate change.
The islands, located between Australia and Papua New Guinea, face sea level rises much faster than the global average.
The court criticized past government emissions targets for not using the best scientific evidence.
The new Australian government plans to cut emissions by 40% by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Rising sea levels have already damaged parts of the islands, leading to erosion and saltwater contamination.
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A SpaceX capsule returned to Earth with astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary, and the United States, landing in California after a 22-hour return trip from the International Space Station. This mission, organized by Axiom Space with help from SpaceX, involved conducting scientific experiments over 20 days and marked the return of several countries to crewed spaceflight.
Key Facts
The crew landed in California after a mission lasting 20 days.
They returned to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) after a 22-hour trip.
The mission was organized by Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk.
The mission included astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary, and the United States.
The crew conducted about 60 scientific experiments during their mission.
Commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, led the mission.
This was the fourth mission to the ISS organized by Axiom Space.
India views this mission as a step towards its own crewed space mission planned for 2027.
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Ukrainians have reacted with disappointment to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 50-day ultimatum for Russia to agree to a ceasefire. Ukrainian leaders express concerns that this delay could lead to more deaths due to ongoing Russian attacks.
Key Facts
Ukraine is facing increased drone and missile attacks from Russia, causing sleepless nights for many in Kyiv.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 50-day deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face significant tariffs.
Ukrainian officials, including Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko and MP Kira Rudik, are concerned that this delay could result in more casualties.
Trump has promised to send advanced weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot air defense systems, through NATO partners in Europe.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called Trump’s tariff threat “very serious” and believes it signals ongoing conflict.
Mixed feelings exist among Ukrainians about Trump's actions, with some doubting his promises and others hopeful that more weapons could help end the war.
In the last month, over 230 civilians in Ukraine have been killed according to UN human rights monitors.
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The United States has imposed a 17% tariff on tomatoes imported from Mexico. This move follows the withdrawal from an agreement meant to protect U.S. tomato growers, which the U.S. government argues was ineffective against unfair pricing. Mexico disputes the claim of unfair pricing and is looking to negotiate a new deal while also seeking alternative markets.
Key Facts
The U.S. has enforced a 17% tariff on tomatoes coming from Mexico.
The tariff was imposed because the U.S. withdrew from an agreement aimed at preventing unfair competition with U.S. tomato growers.
About 70% of tomatoes eaten in the U.S. are imported from Mexico.
U.S. officials believe the tariff will help American growers by encouraging the purchase of U.S. tomatoes.
Mexico denies selling tomatoes at unfairly low prices, claiming their quality is the reason for high demand.
The tariff is likely to increase prices for tomato-based products like pizza sauce and salsa.
Mexico plans to negotiate a new deal with the U.S. and look for new markets for its tomatoes.
The U.S. President has threatened broader tariffs on Mexican goods, citing insufficient action by Mexico on other issues.
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Flash flooding caused significant disruption in New York City, stranding subway passengers as water poured into stations and onto train platforms. New Jersey also faced severe flooding, prompting the governor to declare a state of emergency due to submerged cars and road closures.
Key Facts
Heavy rain caused flash flooding in New York City subways.
Passengers were stuck inside trains as water entered the stations.
Video showed people on train seats to avoid water.
New Jersey's governor declared a state of emergency.
Flooding in New Jersey submerged cars and closed roads.
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President Donald Trump suggested revoking U.S. citizenship from some individuals, like comedian Rosie O’Donnell, though this is not legally possible for those born in the U.S. His administration aims to increase cases of denaturalization, which affects naturalized citizens under specific conditions. A memo from the Justice Department highlights categories for such cases, but political differences are not valid reasons.
Key Facts
President Trump talked about revoking comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship.
U.S.-born citizens cannot lose their citizenship except by giving it up voluntarily.
Denaturalization can affect naturalized citizens under rare, specific circumstances.
The administration wants to pursue more denaturalization cases.
A Justice Department memo outlines priority cases, focusing on national security and gang connections.
The Supreme Court ruled it's unconstitutional to strip native-born citizens of their citizenship.
Trump's statements cannot legally change O'Donnell's or other U.S.-born citizens’ citizenship status.
Political disagreements are not grounds for denaturalization.
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Thousands of Afghans, including those who worked with British forces, have been secretly resettled in the U.K. The program was hidden due to security concerns after personal data of Afghans was mistakenly made public in 2022. About 4,500 Afghans have already been relocated, and the plan is expected to help a total of 6,900 people before it ends.
Key Facts
The U.K. secretly resettled Afghans after their identities were leaked in 2022.
The leak affected around 19,000 Afghans who applied to come to the U.K. after the Taliban's takeover.
A superinjunction was used to keep the program secret; it prevented anyone from discussing the program.
The British government spent about 850 million pounds ($1.1 billion) on this resettlement.
Around 4,500 Afghans have been resettled under this program so far.
The plan aims to relocate a total of about 6,900 people by the time it concludes.
An independent review found little evidence that the data leak increased the risk of Taliban retribution.
The program's details were made public by the current Labour Party government.
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The Mississippi River is facing serious environmental challenges like pollution and flooding, which threaten both the river and the people who rely on it. PBS News is hosting a live discussion with experts to talk about these issues and possible solutions.
Key Facts
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America.
Pollution, flooding, and land loss are key threats to the river and nearby communities.
The river is a vital source of drinking water for over 18 million people.
More than 500 million tons of cargo, worth almost $100 billion, are transported on the river each year.
PBS News will hold a live discussion on the river's challenges on July 16 at 7 p.m. EDT.
The event will feature experts from the University of Minnesota’s Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory.
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Inflation in the United States reached its highest point since February last month due to tariffs, which are extra taxes on imports placed by President Trump. Consumer prices went up 2.7% in June compared to the previous year, affecting various goods like furniture and appliances. The Federal Reserve is cautious about changing interest rates because of the rising inflation.
Key Facts
Inflation in the U.S. rose to 2.7% in June compared to the previous year.
Prices increased by 0.3% from May to June.
Core inflation, which doesn’t include food and energy, rose 2.9% over the past year.
Tariffs placed by President Trump have contributed to the higher costs of goods.
Trump's tariffs include 10% on all imports and higher rates on steel, aluminum, and cars.
The Federal Reserve is hesitant to cut interest rates despite Trump's pressure.
Some companies, like Walmart and Mitsubishi, are raising prices due to the tariffs.
President Trump criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for not reducing interest rates.
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President Trump has changed his tone on Russia and Ukraine, proposing tough actions like economic penalties if Russia doesn't agree to a ceasefire soon. Senator Richard Blumenthal emphasized that Trump's new approach should involve tangible actions, such as imposing high tariffs on Russian goods and increasing military support to Ukraine.
Key Facts
President Trump has shifted his stance on Russia, moving from friendly terms to frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump set a 50-day deadline for Russia to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine, threatening economic penalties if they do not comply.
The proposed penalties include increasing tariffs on Russian goods entering the U.S. and targeting countries trading with Russia.
Trump announced plans to resume U.S. weapon deliveries to Ukraine and proposed selling weapons to NATO allies for Ukrainian use.
Senator Richard Blumenthal co-sponsors a bill allowing 500% tariffs on goods from countries trading with Russia to pressure Russia economically.
The shift in Trump's approach is partly attributed to the ongoing violence against civilians in Ukraine.
Blumenthal highlighted the need for real action following Trump's change in attitude, including significant military aid to Ukraine.
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A research program by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has gathered DNA from over a million veterans, creating a large genetic database for medical research. However, the future of the project is uncertain because agreements needed for using supercomputers have not been renewed, threatening ongoing and future research.
Key Facts
Over a million veterans have donated their DNA to the Million Veteran Program for medical research.
The program is run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Research from the program has led to breakthroughs in understanding genetic links to diseases like anxiety and peripheral artery disease.
The program helps answer health questions relevant to both veterans and the general population.
The VA relies on the Energy Department's supercomputers to analyze the complex genetic data.
Key agreements to use these supercomputers are currently unsigned and some are expiring soon.
The delay in renewing these agreements may harm ongoing research and cause funding problems.
The research focuses on veteran-specific health issues, such as mental health risks and exposure to harmful substances.
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An appeals court extended temporary protected status (TPS) for nearly 12,000 Afghans in the United States just before it was set to expire. This extension allows Afghans to stay legally while the court decides on a lawsuit challenging the decision to end TPS.
Key Facts
An appeals court temporarily extended TPS for almost 12,000 Afghans in the US.
The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Virginia issued the stay.
CASA, an immigration advocacy group, requested the emergency stay.
The US Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration planned to end TPS for Afghans.
The court is quickly reviewing the case and has requested more written arguments from both sides.
TPS lets Afghans live and work legally in the US and blocks their deportation.
About 180,000 Afghans have come to the US since the Taliban regained control in 2021.
Advocacy groups argue that returning Afghans face danger from the Taliban, especially women and those who assisted the US.
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Four astronauts on Axiom Space's Ax-4 mission returned to Earth in a SpaceX capsule, landing in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego. Over their 20-day mission, they conducted scientific work on the International Space Station.
Key Facts
The Ax-4 mission was a private mission led by Axiom Space.
Four astronauts participated: Peggy Whitson (U.S.), Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
The crew spent 18 days on the International Space Station.
They completed around 60 scientific experiments and research studies.
The mission marked the first time in decades that India, Poland, and Hungary sent national astronauts to space.
The crew flew in a new SpaceX capsule called Grace.
Peggy Whitson increased her total time in space to 695 days, setting a record for a U.S. astronaut.
This was the 18th human spaceflight launched by SpaceX.
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