The Independence Day tragedy in Texas, where over 50 people died due to severe flooding, is under scrutiny, with budget cuts to the National Weather Service and NOAA ordered by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) potentially contributing to the loss of life. The cuts, including staff reductions and a hiring freeze, had led to warnings from meteorologists that the American people would suffer and lives would be put in danger. The National Weather Service issued warnings of the storm’s severity only after midnight, long after many campers were asleep. The Trump administration is now facing criticism over the cuts, while private weather companies like AccuWeather are promoting their own forecasts and blaming local officials for the tragedy.
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Secretary Kristi Noem defended the Trump administration’s response to the Texas flash floods, attributing the delayed warning to outdated technology and highlighting ongoing upgrades. Noem deflected criticism by stating the administration is working to fix neglected systems, shifting blame to previous administrations. While acknowledging concerns regarding cuts to weather research labs, she assured reporters she would convey these issues to President Trump. The report also mentioned recent cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service as well as Trump’s plans to phase out FEMA.
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Sources indicate that BlackRock Inc. paused its efforts to secure investors for a multibillion-dollar Ukraine recovery fund earlier this year. The halt was prompted by a perceived shift in US sentiment toward Ukraine following Donald Trump’s election victory. The fund had reportedly garnered significant preliminary interest from governmental bodies in Germany, Italy, and Poland.
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In response to a corruption scandal involving kickbacks and sex workers, Spain’s Socialist party has implemented significant changes. A new policy now bans party members from paying for sex, with violations leading to expulsion. This move comes amid the detention of a former high-ranking official and a leadership shake-up, including the replacement of Santos Cerdan by Rebeca Torro. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has apologized for the scandal, but has vowed to stay in power despite growing criticism from the conservative opposition.
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Archaeologists have recently announced the discovery of the 3,500-year-old city of Peñico in Peru, offering valuable insights into the fate of the Caral civilization. The city, located 200 kilometers north of Lima, served as a crucial trading hub, connecting coastal communities with those in the Andes and Amazon basin. Excavations over eight years have revealed 18 structures, including temples and residential complexes, along with ceremonial objects and artifacts. The discovery of Peñico, near the site of the older Caral civilization, is crucial to understanding its fate after environmental changes and its continuation.
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Democrats, it’s time to face the music: opinions on Israel are changing fast. It’s a dynamic shift, a societal tremor rippling through the Democratic Party’s base, and ignoring it could be politically perilous. The story of Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York mayoral primary provides a striking example. While various factors contributed to his win, the changing views on Israel were a significant undercurrent, a signal that the Democratic establishment’s stance might not be aligning with the evolving sentiments of its voters.
The parallels to Dave Brat’s victory over Eric Cantor in 2014 are worth noting. Just as Brat tapped into the dissatisfaction within the Republican grassroots, Mamdani seems to have capitalized on a similar sentiment among Democrats.… Continue reading
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is introducing a bill that would make altering weather, temperature, climate, or sunlight intensity a felony. The legislation, similar to a recent Florida law, aims to prohibit the release of chemicals into the atmosphere for weather modification. This comes amidst growing concerns and conspiracy theories surrounding “chemtrails,” despite denials from federal agencies like the EPA and NOAA. The bill’s prospects for passing in the House of Representatives are currently uncertain.
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The devastating flooding along the Guadalupe River in Texas resulted from a worst-case scenario, with an unprecedented amount of rainfall occurring in a short period. Despite the National Weather Service issuing warnings, concerns were raised about their dissemination, given staff vacancies in key offices and the potential for warning fatigue among residents. The NOAA’s budget, however, could eliminate research and development of new forecasting technologies that could improve warning accuracy. Local officials are adamant they could not have done anything more to prevent the tragedy because of how quickly the event happened.
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South Korea has abandoned plans to acquire 36 additional Apache attack helicopters due to rising costs and the increasing vulnerability of helicopters in modern warfare. Funding for the program was nearly eliminated in a recent supplementary budget, with officials citing the need to shift defense priorities towards unmanned systems and advanced technologies. The decision reflects concerns about the cost-effectiveness of the Apache and the impact of drone and missile threats, as demonstrated in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This shift aligns with similar reevaluations of attack helicopter programs in the U.S., Japan, and Australia.
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The UK’s richest 50 families have more wealth than 50% of the population. That’s the stark reality we’re facing, and frankly, it’s a shocking statistic. It’s not just about income inequality, which is a separate issue entirely. We’re talking about accumulated wealth, the assets these families control, dwarfing what half the country collectively owns. It’s a staggering imbalance, and it’s something that demands serious consideration. This isn’t just a problem; it’s a fundamental challenge to the idea of a fair and just society.
This wealth disparity, when you break it down, is even more unsettling when you consider the global context.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood