Good morning, and welcome to your daily news update.
First, tragedy has struck during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate nearly 500 confirmed fatalities due to extreme heat, with fears of hundreds more unaccounted for.
Eyewitnesses describe a dire shortage of medical aid for the affected pilgrims.
In the political arena, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has turned his Trump-world celebrity into a family business.
His nonprofit group now employs five relatives and deals in conspiracy theories, showcasing a significant shift from public service to private profit.
Over in Russia’s Dagestan, the region is reeling from separate attacks on a synagogue and a church, resulting in the deaths of a priest and a police officer.
These incidents highlight the rising religious and ethnic tensions in the area.
Meanwhile, parts of New England and the Northeast face an unusual risk for tornadoes as severe thunderstorms are expected.
Over a million people in the Upper Midwest are under flood warnings following heavy rains that forced evacuations and rescues.
Switching gears, former President
Donald Trump has proposed a controversial sports league for migrants to fight each other, sparking widespread criticism and raising questions about his approach to immigration policy.
On the topic of immigration, Presidents Emmanuel Macron and
Joe Biden are shifting the debate to the political center.
Amid hardening sentiments against immigrants in both France and the U.S., this shift reflects broader global trends in immigration policy and public opinion.
In international relations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly criticized the U.S. before Israel's defense minister arrived in Washington.
This highlights ongoing tensions and strategic disagreements between the two nations.
Turning to Russia again, the espionage trial of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich will be held behind closed doors, according to state media.
Lastly, Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to supply North Korea with weapons if the West continues its military support for Ukraine.
That’s all for now. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the day.