Severe rainfall has resulted in significant flooding across central Texas, leading to the deaths of 79 individuals, including 28 children. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with hundreds of searchers actively combing affected areas, while dozens of individuals remain unaccounted for. Meteorologists have cautioned that more rain and flash flooding may occur in the already hard-hit regions.
Among the deceased are ten girls from a summer camp, as well as other young campers aged 8 and 9 years. The initial flash-flood warning was issued just before midnight on Thursday, and by 4 a.m. Friday, emergency officials urged residents and campers to “seek higher ground” as the Guadalupe River rose dramatically by 22 feet, or 6 meters, within a three-hour period.
Officials have raised concerns regarding staffing shortages in local National Weather Service offices, which may have hindered effective coordination with emergency management teams. Climate scientists have noted that extreme rainfall events like this are becoming increasingly frequent and intense globally due to climate change exacerbated by fossil fuel consumption.
In related news, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Trump to discuss a cease-fire agreement for Gaza, with hopes for a preliminary truce occurring this week. The proposed deal would involve the release of hostages by Hamas and could potentially bring an end to the ongoing conflict following the October 7 assault on Israel. Meanwhile, opposition to the military campaign in Gaza is mounting within Israel, with reports of over 20 military casualties in the past month and more than 55,000 Palestinian deaths as cited by Gaza health officials.
The Dalai Lama, who recently turned 90, has stated that China will have no involvement in the selection of his successor. However, indications suggest that Chinese authorities may contest the chosen successor and appoint their own candidate, which could heighten tensions between China and the Tibetan exile community.
In lighter news, public swimming has been reinstated in the Seine after a century-long ban due to pollution and boat traffic. The river has reportedly reached cleanliness standards that allow for safe swimming, leading to optimistic reactions from locals and visitors alike.
In cultural news, scholars believe they may have identified a lost Stradivarius violin belonging to the Mendelssohn-Bohnke family, which was taken during World War II. A similar instrument was recently discovered in photographs from a 2018 exhibition and expert reviews suggest it could be the long-lost family treasure.
For more updates and recommendations on various topics, readers are encouraged to tune in tomorrow.