At least 24 dead in Texas flash floods; homes, vehicles swept away

Police made arrests following a protest in support of Palestine Action, a group recently banned under terrorism laws. Demonstrators gathered despite the ban, leading to clashes or detentions (details aren’t specified, but the tone suggests tension).

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another protest story—it’s about the escalating crackdown on activism tied to Palestine. The government’s move to label the group as "terrorist" raises big questions about free speech and dissent, especially when support for Palestinian causes is already a lightning rod. It’s a snapshot of how heated these debates have become, and how authorities are responding.

The Trump administration has deported eight migrants back to South Sudan after a legal battle temporarily blocked their removal. Initially, a lawsuit stopped their deportation and redirected them to a U.S. military base in Djibouti, but the government ultimately sent them home.

Editor’s Note: This story highlights the ongoing tensions around U.S. immigration enforcement, particularly under the Trump administration’s hardline policies. Deportations to conflict-prone regions like South Sudan raise humanitarian concerns, especially when legal challenges intervene but ultimately fail. For readers, it’s another example of how immigration battles play out in courts, detention centers, and far beyond U.S. borders.

Heavy rains in Kerr County, Texas, triggered devastating floods early Friday, claiming at least 24 lives—a toll described as "shocking" by former President Trump. Local officials are calling the situation "catastrophic" as rescue efforts continue amid rising waters.

Editor’s Note: Flooding like this isn't just about water levels—it's about lives lost, homes destroyed, and communities scrambling to recover. With extreme weather becoming more frequent, this tragedy underscores how vulnerable many areas are to sudden disasters and how critical emergency preparedness (or the lack of it) can be. It’s a grim reminder of climate risks hitting close to home.

In a nail-biting finish, Max Verstappen snatched pole position from Oscar Piastri at the British Grand Prix, pulling off his fastest lap right at the death of qualifying. Piastri looked set to clinch it until Verstappen’s final surge—classic Formula 1 drama.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another pole for Verstappen—it’s a statement. Silverstone’s high-speed corners make qualifying here a true test of skill, and beating a rising star like Piastri in the closing seconds adds extra spice to Sunday’s race. For fans, it’s a tantalizing preview of battles to come, both in this race and the wider season.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin praised the Thackeray brothers—Uddhav and Raj—for standing together against what they see as forced Hindi promotion in Maharashtra. He also took a swipe at the central government for holding back funds and raised eyebrows about why schools in Hindi-speaking states aren’t teaching more regional languages. Thanks to protests led by Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra’s government backed off from plans to make Hindi mandatory.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about Hindi vs. regional languages—it’s a flashpoint in India’s long-running debate over cultural identity and federal power. When high-profile politicians like Stalin and the Thackerays team up against perceived overreach, it signals broader tensions between states and the central government. The retreat on the Hindi rule shows public pushback can work, but the underlying fight over language and resources isn’t going away anytime soon.