Texas Faces Flood Aftermath and Trade Shifts

A devastating flash flood in central Texas has left at least 82 people dead, with many questions about why warnings were not issued sooner. The hardest-hit area is Kerr County, where 68 deaths have been reported, including 28 children from youth camps near the Guadalupe River. Residents like Wendy Barker from Hunt are questioning why they did not receive any alerts despite the heavy rain. The National Weather Service had issued warnings, but many locals say they never got the message. Recovery efforts are now the priority, but tough questions remain about the lack of evacuation alerts. Meanwhile, the scene along the Guadalupe River is grim, with cars piled up in trees and mounds of rubble. The focus now is on helping the community recover, but answers about the delayed warnings are expected later. In other news, the U. S. is set to impose new tariff rates on August 1st. These rates were originally announced in April but were delayed for 90 days to allow for trade negotiations. President Trump has stated that countries failing to negotiate deals could face even higher tariffs. The stock market initially plunged after the tariff announcement, but the pause has provided some stability. The White House believes these new tariffs could push more countries to negotiate trade deals quickly. Only a few deals have been made during the pause, so the administration is hoping for rapid progress. The new rates will be outlined in letters sent to countries today. Meanwhile, Israel and Hamas are in ceasefire talks in Qatar, with mediators shuttling between the two delegations. A recent draft deal includes a 60-day ceasefire, the release of hostages, and discussions on ending the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with President Trump today to discuss the situation. In financial news, FICO will now track buy-now, pay-later loans, which could impact credit scores. These loans, popular among young and low-to-middle-income shoppers, will be included in two of FICO's scoring products starting this fall. Timely payments can improve credit scores, while missed payments may harm them. For those concerned about blood sugar fluctuations, experts suggest eating meals with more fiber and protein to stabilize levels. Eating protein, fiber, and fat first can help prevent extreme spikes and dips in blood sugar. In other global news, North Korea has opened a new resort on its eastern seacoast, featuring over 400 buildings. An Australian jury found Erin Patterson guilty of murdering her estranged husband's elderly relatives with poisonous mushrooms. And a stranger's kindness helped Maureen Futtner cope with grief after her sister's death.