Violent storms and tornadoes in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas have left at least 15 people dead and over 400,000 without power in Missouri, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Indianapolis 500 was briefly delayed due to concerns about severe weather. Cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, and Nashville are expected to be affected as the storms move east, while the South faces extreme heat with temperatures reaching as high as 100-115 degrees. Four million people are under alerts for critical fire weather across the Plains.
In Tel Aviv, sirens sounded for the first time in months as Hamas launched rockets, with eight projectiles crossing into Israeli territory from Rafah. A video showing female soldiers captured by Hamas sparked outrage in Israel, with one of the hostages mentioning having friends in Palestine. The rise of ‘abortion abolitionists’ who seek to prosecute women who terminate pregnancies is gaining traction through a network of lawyers, lawmakers, and pastors promoting legislation to criminalize abortion without exceptions.
Nicki Minaj was arrested in the Netherlands on suspicion of exporting soft drugs but was released after being fined, leading to the postponement of her concert in England. Despite Birmingham-Southern College closing its doors due to financial issues, the baseball team has qualified for the Division III College World Series. A bipartisan panel of secretaries of state from battleground states assured readiness for a secure presidential election despite threats to election workers.
PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died by suicide at 30, just a day after withdrawing from a tournament. A trend on TikTok involves sharing inside jokes and unique slang with friends, siblings, or partners in what are called “friend dictionaries,” showcasing the special connections and bond between people with shared lingo. In a political update, two top Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee requested a meeting with Chief Justice John Roberts amid scrutiny on Justice Samuel Alito, while former President Donald Trump faced hostility at the Libertarian National Convention. President Joe Biden is facing challenges in Arizona, with voters prioritizing issues like the economy and border security.
