Flooding in Iowa forces residents from their homes as heatwave scorches US
Heavy rain has caused flooding in parts of Iowa, leading to evacuations of homes. At the same time, much of the United States is experiencing extreme heat on Saturday. Sirens were sounded in Rock Valley, Iowa after midnight, prompting hundreds of homes to evacuate due to rising water levels in the Rock River. Across the country, intense heat and humidity persist, with 15 million people under a heat warning and 90 million under a heat advisory, according to the National Weather Service.
Israeli strikes kill at least 39 people in northern Gaza
Officials in Gaza reported that Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 39 people in northern Gaza. The casualties come just a day after strikes killed 25 people in tent camps near Rafah. Hospitals in Gaza City have received dozens of bodies, while emergency responders have recovered bodies from a building hit in an eastern neighborhood of Gaza City.
Houthi rebels attack ship in Gulf of Aden as US aircraft carrier returns home
Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched an attack on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, causing no damage. Meanwhile, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, leading the US response to Houthi attacks, is heading home after a tour that was twice extended. The USS Theodore Roosevelt will take over after completing a scheduled exercise in the Indo-Pacific region. The attack by the Houthis follows the recent sinking of the ship Tutor in the maritime corridor.
Biden and Republicans aim to sway GOP women in swing-state suburbs
President Joe Biden and his allies are working to gain support from suburban women, a key demographic that helped Biden win swing states like Pennsylvania in the last election. Despite efforts to attract Republican women opposed to a potential second term for Donald Trump, interviews in Pennsylvania’s Bucks County show little willingness among traditional Republicans to abandon Trump as the presumptive GOP nominee.
Rape survivor turned abortion rights advocate to campaign with Jill Biden
A woman who survived rape by her stepfather as a child will join first lady Jill Biden in campaigning for reproductive rights in Pennsylvania. The campaign coincides with the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and highlights the impact of recent rulings limiting access to abortion across the country.
Trump encourages evangelical Christians to vote in 2024 election
Donald Trump urged evangelical Christians to participate in the upcoming 2024 election, emphasizing the importance of voting. He also endorsed the display of the Ten Commandments in schools, praising a new law in Louisiana requiring their display in public school classrooms.
LGBTQ+ librarians face challenges amid calls for book bans
During Pride Month events worldwide, LGBTQ+ individuals report facing increasing difficulties at work, including being targeted for attacks and facing book bans. The American Library Association documented a record number of books facing censorship in 2023, with titles about gender identity and sexual orientation being the most criticized.
US envoy visits Hanoi following Putin’s state visit
A senior US diplomat visited Vietnam, stating that trust between the two countries is at an “all-time high” despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit. The US and Vietnam have strengthened their diplomatic ties, with Vietnam elevating the US to its highest diplomatic status as a comprehensive strategic partner.
Family of six found dead in landslide in eastern China as severe weather continues
Rescuers discovered the bodies of six people who had gone missing in Fujian province, victims of a landslide caused by heavy rainfall. The severe weather has led to numerous deaths in the region, with landslides and flooding impacting communities in Guangdong province as well.
New South African government sparks racial tensions
The new coalition government in South Africa, which includes a Black president and a white opposition leader, has inadvertently reignited racial tensions in the country. Despite efforts to show unity, many Black South Africans feel uneasy with a white-led party being back in power, underscoring the enduring legacy of apartheid in the nation.
